Rory McIlroy has said Europe will have to “rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility” after two-time major winner Jon Rahm confirmed he was joining LIV Golf.
After previously saying he would not quit the PGA Tour, it was announced on Thursday that Rahm had performed a U-turn by switching to the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit in a deal thought to be worth around $500 million.
Rahm's former Ryder Cup teammates Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were ineligible for Europe's win over the US in the biennial team competition this year after joining LIV Golf and resigning from the Europe-based DP World Tour.
The next Ryder Cup takes place in 2025 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, and McIlroy was in no doubt that Rahm would be there.
“Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025,” McIlroy told Sky Sports after the Spaniard's move was confirmed.
“Because of this decision, the European tour is going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility.
“There's absolutely no question about that – I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.”
McIlroy had previously said that no LIV players should be able to play for Europe at the Ryder Cup but the Northern Irishman admitted “the landscape of golf changed” when it was announced in June that PGA Tour, European Tour and LIV Golf had agreed a merger.
Under current rules, European players must be members of the DP World Tour – previously known as the European Tour – to be eligible to play.
But the threat of losing the skills of Rahm, who is the reigning Masters champion, has resulted in McIlroy performing his own U-turn.
Ryder Cup 2023 player ratings
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RYDER CUP PLAYER RATINGS - TEAM EUROPE: From the heartbreak of Whistling Straits to Europe's top points scorer in Rome, McIlroy was a man on a mission. Won his first three matches and only a miracle putt on 18 prevented a half-point on Saturday afternoon. Dominated Sam Burns in singles for his best-ever Ryder Cup haul. AP -
Overwhelmed on debut two years ago, Hovland arrived in Rome as arguably the best player in the world and played like it. Set the tone with a chip-in on the first and claimed one-and-a-half points on the opening day. Combined with Aberg for a historic 9&7 win on Saturday morning, and after a defeat in fourballs, bounced back by crushing Collin Morikawa in singles. A dominant performance from a world-class player. Getty -
Hatton's first Ryder Cup as a senior player, and boy did he revel in his leadership role. Formed an unbreakable foursomes partnership with Rahm, winning both games, and claimed a half with Hovland in Friday fourballs. Then proceeded to crush Open champion Harman in singles. A fearless, feisty display from the Englishman in Rome. Reuters -
The Spaniard was Europe's star in a losing effort in Wisconsin and he led from the front again in Rome. Dominated alongside Hatton in Friday's foursomes and holed an outrageous putt off the green to split the Friday fourballs. Won again with Hatton on Saturday morning, and after sitting out the afternoon, went up against Scheffler in a titanic singles tussle, claiming the half on the 18th. The ultimate big-game player. Getty -
Paired with rookie MacIntyre for Friday and Saturday fourballs, Rose took on the mentor role with conviction. Sunk a nerveless putt on 18 to share the honours against the previously formidable Spieth and Thomas. Then marshalled MacIntyre to victory in Europe's only win on Saturday afternoon. Put up a game fight in a losing singles effort against Cantlay but fulfilled his leadership role superbly. Getty -
Struggled early on but still won alongside McIlroy in the Friday foursomes, Fleetwood then came into his own 24 hours later to earn another foursomes point with McIlroy. Yet he saved his very best for Sunday's singles, beating Fowler 3&1 to secure the cup for Europe. His drive onto the par-4 16th was one of the shots of the tournament. The Englishman is tailor-made for this tournament. Getty -
Selected having only turned pro three months ago, Aberg justified the pick and exceeded all the hype with a stellar rookie showing. Claimed two points alongside Hovland in the foursomes, including a record 9&7 win on Saturday that left opponent Scheffler in tears. Lost his last two matches but by then the damage had been done, and the Swede was a key contributor. A generational talent indeed. PA -
Viewed as Europe's potential weak link, the Scot did look out of his depth early but came alive from Saturday onwards, combining with Rose for Europe's only Saturday fourballs point, before easing past US Open champion Wyndham Clark in Sunday's singles. Ended the Ryder Cup with more points than world No 1 Scottie Scheffler. PA -
The Irishman contributed to the best-ever European session, combining with rookie Straka as part of a Friday foursomes clean sweep, although the pair got dominated the following day. Halved his singles match with Spieth on Sunday. Lowry was Europe's most passionate and vocal cheerleader, and was clearly loving every minute. Getty -
Arrived in Rome seeking his first Ryder Cup point following five defeats, the Englishman started like a train to lead McIlroy to victory in Friday fourballs. First point secured but that's as good as it got for Fitzpatrick, who lost his remaining two matches. A much-improved performance, though. Getty -
Started brilliantly with a point in his first Ryder Cup session, but the Austrian rookie lost his other two matches, in Saturday foursomes and Sunday singles. Played his part in the win, and some solid golf on the PGA Tour should keep him in contention for a place on the 2025 team. EPA -
The Danish rookie started brightly on Friday afternoon but the gritty half-point alongside Rahm was the best it got. Hojgaard is capable of stunning shot-making but his putter went badly cold on Saturday and Sunday and he lost both matches. Definitely a star of the future, though, and the experience will be invaluable for future Ryder Cups. Getty -
A perfect captain's performance. From his team selection, choice of pairings, and playing order, Donald barely put a foot wrong. Opting to lead out with foursomes on Friday and Saturday was a masterstroke. The strong European team culture was evident not only during the week but throughout the weeks and months leading up to the tournament. Took his Ryder Cup tally to five wins from five. Getty -
TEAM USA: Homa looked genuinely terrified on the first tee, but looks can be deceiving. Despite losing that opening morning session, he grew from strength to strength, winning three and halving one of his remaining four games. He was also responsible for the coldest moment of the tournament, taking his hat off and walking to shake hands with his vanquished opponents while his chip was still travelling to the hole. USA's standout player. Getty -
Involved in as much off-course drama as on it. There were accusations of Cantlay leading a split in the team room amid an alleged protest over a lack of pay. While those are all rumours, Cantlay delivered his best in the second half of the tournament after losing his first two matches. Attempted to build some momentum with a victory in Saturday fourballs and won his singles match. Revelled in the pantomime villain role. Getty -
After losing his Friday morning match, won both on Saturday to become one of the US's leading players heading into Sunday singles, where he was outplayed by Tyrrell Hatton. A satisfactory Ryder Cup debut but hardly a dominant performance befitting a major champion. AFP -
His selection divided opinion given his poor form this season on the PGA Tour, but Thomas showed plenty of grit - a quality missing from many of his teammates. Lost two and halved one of his three pairing matches, but partner Spieth was more to blame for the defeats. Won his singles against Straka. Hardly set Rome alight but justified his pick. Getty -
Burns was all over the show on Friday morning in the foursomes defeat alongside Scheffler but was much improved in Saturday fourballs to win a point with Morikawa. He was then outclassed by McIlroy in singles. Hardly justified his captain's pick. EPA -
Spoke a big game leading into Rome but hardly backed it up. Directly responsible for throwing away half a point after a horror 18th hole in Friday's fourballs, but did collect a point the next day alongside Cantlay. Clark was then outplayed by MacIntyre in the singles to compound a forgettable debut. AP -
The only LIV player on the US team, Koepka won one, drew one, and lost one of his three matches. Not a terrible return but given his status as one of the world's leading players, he never imposed himself. Koepka was also involved in the biggest defeat in foursomes history but produced a strong singles performance. Nowhere near enough of a contribution. AP -
Irrepressible in Wisconsin two years ago, Morikawa was a shadow of that player in Rome. Lost both of his matches on Friday, before collecting his first win in Saturday's fourballs. The two-time major champion was then dominated by Hovland in singles. A huge talent but miles off his best in Italy. PA -
Saw his previously perfect partnership with Cantlay taken apart with twin losses on Friday and lost again in Saturday foursomes. Claimed a full point by beating Hojgaard in singles but the US were already out of contention by then. Another star from Wisconsin who slumped in Rome. Getty -
One of the senior members of the US team, Spieth, like Scheffler, went winless in Rome, halving two and losing two of his four matches. His formidable partnership with Thomas was cut down to size and he let slip his lead against Lowry in singles to settle for a half. Far from the imposing figure of past Ryder Cups. Getty -
Revived this year after a few seasons in the wilderness, Fowler arrived in Rome in good form and as an experienced member of the US team. However, he proceeded to lose both of his matches and made very little impact on the tournament. Apparently he was suffering from illness but either way, a hugely disappointing return to the team. EPA -
A surprise star at Whistling Straits, Scheffler has spent the past two years establishing himself as the best player on the planet. Yet, in Rome, the world No 1 crumbled. Failed to win a match and was reduced to tears after his and Koepka's record defeat on Saturday. Involved in a thrilling singles match with Rahm, but blew the chance to win having led on 18. The chronic putter issues were horribly exposed. Getty -
A thoroughly nice and decent guy but Johnson was hardly the inspirational figure his team needed after a historically bad Friday. Got many of his selections wrong, and struggled to reverse his team's fortunes. Whereas Europe was a team united, that same culture was evidently absent in the US team room, which ultimately falls on the captain. EPA
“He has got so much talent, he's so tenacious and he's a great teammate in the Ryder Cup," he said.
“The thing that I've realised is that you can't judge someone for making a decision that they feel is the best thing for them.
“Is it disappointing to me? Yes, but the landscape of golf changed on 6 June, when the framework agreement was announced, and I think because of that it made the jump from the PGA Tour to LIV a little bit easier for guys.”
McIlroy also voiced his concerns over the future of golf with tours competing to sign elite players.
“You're basically cannibalising yourself as a sport, sort of the same as what boxing has done with all the different organisations and a few other sports have as well,” he said.
“To me, having all the best golfers under the one umbrella is the best way forward because I think that's really what the public wants.”
Rahm has said that he wants “to maintain my PGA Tour and DP World status”, adding: “I will not give that up and hopefully with the freedom that LIV Golf gives me I can play in both of those tours as well.
“I've expressed how important the Spanish Open is to me in the past, and if we ever reached that point [to play in] certain PGA Tour events, I still want to go and play as long as my schedule allows. So if possible, we'll see what we can make happen.”
