Jon Rahm has improved his chances of playing in next
year's Ryder Cup by appealing against the fines imposed on him by the DP World
Tour.
The Spaniard either had to pay his fines or appeal against
them to be allowed to play in the three DP World Tour events he needs to retain
his membership of the European-based tour and therefore be eligible for the
Ryder Cup.
Rahm, 29, said on Wednesday he did "not intend to pay
the fines".
But with Thursday's 12 noon deadline approaching for entries
to the Spanish Open, which begins on 26 September, he appealed against the
fines.
A DP World Tour spokesman told OceanNewsUK: "Jon Rahm has
a pending appeal against sanctions imposed on him and in accordance with the DP
World Tour's regulations, he is eligible to participate in the Open de
Espana."
By contesting the fines, Rahm has followed his Ryder Cup and
LIV team-mate Tyrrell Hatton, who was able to play in the British Masters
earlier in September.
They were among several players fined for playing Saudi
Arabian-funded LIV Golf tournaments that conflicted with DP World Tour events
without requesting permission from the European-based circuit.
Players must play four DP World Tour events a year to retain
their membership, with Rahm's participation in the Paris Olympics counting as
one.
He has also entered next month's Dunhill Links Championship
in Scotland and the Andalucia Masters at Sotogrande in Spain.
The DP World Tour season ends in November.
The Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States will be
played at Bethpage Black in New York next September.
Europe's captain Luke Donald welcomed the news of the appeal
by Rahm, who claimed three points in Europe's commanding 16½-11½ victory at
Marco Simone last year.
"I'm very happy to hear he made that decision - I know
he was sitting on the fence a little bit," Donald said after finishing his
opening round at the Irish Open.
"Very glad he's done that to allow him to play and
create some time for things to hopefully figure themselves out," the
Englishman added in reference to the talks between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour
and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund that funds LIV Golf.
Those discussions have been ongoing since the organisations
signed a "framework agreement" in June last year.
"We're all being very patient right now," Donald
added.
"It's been frustrating for a lot of the players to see
how slow everything's going. I've heard in the last couple of weeks there's
been a little bit more progress."
