The golf world is buzzing again over the ongoing tensions between the DP World Tour, LIV Golf, and player eligibility for the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy, speaking ahead of the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, didn’t hold back in criticizing fellow Ryder Cup star Jon Rahm for rejecting what McIlroy described as a “really generous” deal from the DP World Tour.

The offer, extended to nine LIV Golf players (including Rahm), would have allowed them to retain DP World Tour membership — and crucially, Ryder Cup eligibility — without future fines or suspensions for playing on LIV. In exchange, players needed to settle past fines (reportedly around $2 million for Rahm), drop appeals, and commit to six DP World Tour events per year instead of the standard minimum four.

McIlroy called the terms “much softer” than the conditions Brooks Koepka accepted to return to the PGA Tour after his LIV stint. He pointed out that eight of the nine players took the deal, suggesting it’s a solid compromise.

“In my opinion, it’s a really generous deal,” McIlroy said. “There’s a reason eight of the nine guys took that deal, right. I think it’s a really good deal. Obviously, Jon doesn’t think so, and he’s obviously well within his rights to think that way. But I just don’t see what more the European Tour can do to accommodate these guys to retain their membership.”

He added that it’s “a shame” Rahm stood alone in rejecting it, especially given the implications for the 2027 Ryder Cup in the United States. McIlroy emphasized that “the Ryder Cup is bigger than any one person,” downplaying concerns about Rahm’s potential absence while underscoring the team event’s priority over individual disputes.

Rahm, for his part, fired back during LIV Golf Hong Kong, accusing the DP World Tour of “extorting” players by mandating the extra two events and dictating schedules. He said he’d sign immediately if it reverted to the original four-event minimum.