How will the Ryder Cup Handle Pro Golf’s Chaos?

Two years and counting until the next Ryder Cup.

What that will look like—and what men’s professional golf will look like—by then is anyone’s guess. 

The biennial contest between the United States and Europe is scheduled for September 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York State. It’s assumed the locals already are stockpiling insults to hurl at the Europeans. 

There are few safe assumptions beyond that.

The chaotic state of men’s pro golf has already put the Ryder Cup into a blender. LIV Golf’s influence impacted this fall’s edition as defectors Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia were among those ineligible to participate as players or captains on the European side.

The Americans allowed the selection of LIV players and used a captain’s pick on PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka but the team passed on regulars Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson.

A critical difference between the teams is that the DP World Tour, which has a partnership with the PGA Tour as both circuits have attempted to fend off LIV, is the lead organization behind the European side. Many European LIV players resigned their DP World Tour membership (failure to do so results in recurring fines, suspensions and sanctions) which is a prerequisite to earn a Ryder Cup spot.

The U.S. team is led by the PGA of America which does not operate the PGA Tour. The organization has less of a vested interest in having to protect against LIV. American Ryder Cup points were not available in LIV events, however, making it tough for LIV players to qualify without receiving a captain’s pick.

The losses on both sides were noticeable to a point but most of those missing were at the tail end of their careers and would not have earned their way onto either squad as a player.

The biggest news to come out of this group was Stenson deciding to give up the European captaincy for 2023. Other LIV defectors were thought to be possible captains in the future such as Mickelson potentially leading the American side at Bethpage.

Rahm’s departure for LIV sparks Ryder Cup discussion

Jon Rahm’s decision to leave for LIV has reignited the topic of Ryder Cup qualification.

Rahm has been one of Europe’s best players in recent Ryder Cups, compiling a 6-3-3 record. He is the first cornerstone European player to bolt for LIV while still in the prime of his career. Having recently turned 29, Rahm could easily have another handful of Ryder Cup appearances in his future.

Almost immediately after Rahm announced his decision, European teammate Rory McIlroy told Sky Sports that Ryder Cup qualification rules would have to be amended. McIlroy had previously been in favor of not including LIV players on the European team.

“Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025 so, because of this decision, the European Tour (DP World Tour) are going to have to rewrite the rules for the Ryder Cup eligibility,’’ McIlroy said. “There’s absolutely no question about that. I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.”

McIlroy added the following in response to a commenter on X (formerly called Twitter): “We didn’t NEED any of the others in Rome and we didn’t miss them. We’d certainly miss and need Jon at Bethpage.”

Rahm has argued that players should not be selected based on their home tour. He is doubling down on that opinion now that he has left for LIV.

“The Ryder Cup means a lot to me and is one of the things that made this decision very difficult for me,” Rahm said on LIV’s “Fairway to Heaven” podcast. “I’ve always been hopeful that, if I made the step, the DP World Tour would maybe adapt the eligibility so we can play it.”

The eligibility criteria for both Ryder Cup teams won’t be announced until next year. Players have not started the qualification period where their finishes earn points toward a spot on the team.

As it stands, Rahm won’t be able to play in the Ryder Cup. He has already been suspended by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour is still not allowing LIV players to compete on their circuit unless it is a co-sanctioned event. LIV players Joaquin Niemann, Louis Oosthuizen and Dean Burmester recently won DP World Tour events that were co-sanctioned with another tour but they still won’t be able to play standalone DP World Tour events.

Will Rahm be forced to rescind his membership like other European players? Or is this a watershed moment where all LIV golfers will soon be welcomed to play on other tours, reinserting themselves into the Ryder Cup fold?

Predicting what Ryder Cup qualification could look like

Men’s professional golf is divided into three top tours, each having substantial issues.

The PGA Tour and DP World Tour are losing players to LIV and losing an arms race against Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Meanwhile, LIV doesn’t have a major TV deal, hasn’t resonated with fans and is still woefully short on player talent. 

Players from around the world have benefited financially but the fans have lost and the collective professional game continues to struggle. 

There could be some cohesion coming shortly, however. If the PGA Tour and LIV form an official partnership in line with the framework agreement that was signed last June, there could be a consolidation of the two circuits. Or maybe LIV continues but players have the ability to compete wherever they want.

Regardless, we’re guessing Ryder Cup qualifying will change. If a player of Rahm’s caliber doesn’t make the team, the whole event is greatly diminished.

And while the Ryder Cup is arguably the biggest event in the game, it doesn’t need to be harmed any further. The last five editions have not been particularly close with the home side winning each of them with relative ease. There have also been continued rumblings of players hoping to be paid for participating which could take some of the spirit out of the event.

It’s likely time for each side to reassess how the teams are chosen to ensure the best players are included.

Our vote would be for LIV players to receive Ryder Cup points for all events, both LIV and otherwise. LIV players could be allowed to compete on other tours and qualify to be eligible if they play in a certain number of PGA Tour or DP World Tour events.

It wouldn’t require that a LIV player gets into the Ryder Cup but it would give them a more realistic shot.

At the moment, a LIV player needs to win a major or have multiple top finishes in a major to get into the mix. That is even more difficult when you consider LIV events do not qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points, the gatekeeping system to qualify for majors.

And if LIV players on both sides are eligible to be players, it would make sense to allow them to be captains or vice-captains. Each team might opt against that but is there a solid reason to exclude them based solely on their decision to join LIV? Probably not at this juncture.

It’s fair to say LIV is a closed shop and the competition is not as serious as the PGA Tour. It is a cash grab.

At the same time, the PIF will continue to invest in golf. If LIV does carry on in its current form, more top players will join, especially if they are free to play elsewhere. Watching them compete for a Ryder Cup spot would at least help interest in their league on some level.

Is it unfair to change the criteria because of Rahm? 

It might be but this is a problem that extends beyond one guy.

And, after everything that has happened in men’s pro golf the past two years, the Ryder Cup needs to be protected.