Jon Rahm on course for Ryder Cup after launching appeal against DP World Tour fines

Jon Rahm is set to remain eligible for the Ryder Cup after appealing against his outstanding fines for defecting to LIV Golf.

Rahm either had to pay his fines or launch an appeal in order to be allowed to contest DP World Tour events and has entered the Spanish Open, Dunhill Links Championship and Andalucia Masters.

Entries for the Spanish Open closed at noon on Thursday and Rahm launched his appeal in time to be included in the field.

A spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: "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 acciona Open de Espana presented by Madrid later this month."

In order to remain eligible for next year’s contest at Bethpage, Rahm has to play in four DP World Tour events this season – the Olympics counts as one – and he revealed on Wednesday he had entered the required three tournaments, though not this week's Irish Open, which he won in 2017 and 2019.

The two-time major winner also said he had no intention of paying the substantial fines he has accrued for playing in LIV events without permission.

Rahm’s Ryder Cup and Legion XIII team-mate Tyrrell Hatton was able to contest the British Masters a fortnight ago by appealing against his fines and Rahm has now followed suit.

Speaking ahead of LIV Chicago, Rahm said: "I’m not a big fan of the fines.

"I don’t intend to pay the fines and we keep trying to have a discussion with them (the DP World Tour) about how we can make this happen.

"I intend to play in Spain. Whether they let me play or not is a different thing."

Speaking yesterday, Shane Lowry said: "Do I want Jon Rahm on the Ryder Cup team? Yes.

"Should there be exceptions made? I'm not sure, that’s