Luke Donald is hopeful that Jon Rahm will be part of his squad as the captain pursues a historic third consecutive Ryder Cup triumph in Ireland next year.
The Spanish star remains embroiled in a disagreement with the DP World Tour regarding penalties imposed for his participation in LIV Golf competitions without securing the required permissions as a tour member.
Donald has committed to leading Europe once more following September's triumph in New York.
The captain's appointment for the 2027 contest at Adare Manor marks an unprecedented achievement, with Donald becoming the first European skipper to lead the team for three successive editions of the biennial competition.
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His appeal process regarding the outstanding fines was subject to such lengthy delays that Rahm was ultimately permitted to feature in the European side's victory at Bethpage Black last September.
Rahm is understood to owe in excess of £2million in penalties, yet he has refused to settle the outstanding amount.
On Tuesday, the two-time major champion described the situation as "extortion".
His stance contrasts sharply with fellow LIV competitors such as Tyrrell Hatton, who agreed to clear their fines and pledged to participate in additional DP World Tour events in exchange for conditional releases, permitting them to compete on the Saudi-backed circuit.
Luke Donald is hopeful that Jon Rahm will be part of his Ryder Cup squad
|GETTY
Speaking on the situation, Donald said: "It’s the first day on the job so I haven’t talked to him yet but obviously I will talk to Jon.
"I don’t really want to comment as I know he has his own reasons but I look forward to catching up with him and I really hope he is available."
Chief executive of the European Tour group, Guy Kinnings, said they had followed the rules in place and Rahm’s refusal left him with two options.
He said: It is pretty straightforward: either he withdraws the appeal and settles fines, or he goes to the appeal process, and that is underway, and then go with whatever decision is made in that hearing."
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Luke Donald will lead Europe into battle at the 2027 Ryder Cup
| GETTYFormer USA captains Walter Hagen and Ben Hogan led their team to four and three Ryder Cup wins respectively, but neither achieved the three in a row Donald is aiming for at Adare Manor in Ireland.
The former world number one said he had weighed up the pros and cons and, with the support of his family and team-mates, he was ready to go again.
He added: "I accomplished a great deal with Rome and New York and you obviously do question the possibility of losing if you go again.
"Winning and losing is not something you can control."
Jon Rahm launched a scathing attack on the DP World Tour
| GETTYDonald said: "You can give yourself an edge but you have those thoughts ‘What if this doesn’t go right and we are the (first) team to lose at home in 34 years – does that taint anything?’.
"But when you come to the pros there were many more than there were cons and ultimately that is why I am sitting here."
The USA are hoping Tiger Woods will agree to serve as captain for the 2027 event, having turned down the opportunity last time out, but Donald would not be drawn on who his opposite number might be.
He said: "It is a little bit hard to comment on something that hasn’t happened yet. Tiger’s name was floated two years ago and Keegan ended up being captain so it’s hard to make those guesses. Tiger moves the needle in the game still. Whoever the captain is doesn’t really change my role."
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