Luke Donald is elated that Jon Rahm and the DP World Tour have reached an agreement to settle their long-standing fines dispute, with the European Ryder Cup captain adding "even brothers fight".
Donald also believed there was a scenario in which he could have been forced to step in to build bridges between Rahm's future Ryder Cup team-mates or the DP World Tour, had a resolution not been found.
Rahm is now eligible to be selected for the 2027 Ryder Cup, after , which were imposed on him for playing in LIV Golf events.Those penalties were believed to be around $3m (£2.21m).
Fears had mounted that Rahm, who has a Ryder Cup points record of 9-5-3 (W-L-D), would not be able to play in 2027, amid the ongoing dispute.
"I'm not involved in the policy of the DP World Tour and the discussions between the parties," Donald said ahead of this week's PGA Championship in Pennsylvania.
"I did talk to Jon. I just wanted to get his thoughts on where he was. Obviously, I'm always in communication with the DP World Tour.
"It's not my job to tell Jon what to do, but I'm obviously very delighted that a resolution has happened and that he's available as someone who can be a part of the Ryder Cup team.
Rahm had previously turned down the offer of a conditional release at the start of 2026, but that offer was accepted by eight other LIV Golfers, including Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin.
The terms of those arrangements were largely the same as Rahm's; pay off fines and commit to a minimum of six events, two of which were at the tour's choosing. Fulfilment of that criteria saw LIV players regain memberships.
Rahm subsequently accused the DP World Tour of "extorting" those players, but would later withdraw an appeal against his fines.
Asked whether he feels Rahm has some bridge-building to do with the DP World Tour or potential future Ryder Cup team-mates, Donald brushed off any doubts that the team won't be unified come the 2027 tournament.
"I was glad a resolution had come to fruition sooner rather than later," he said.
"I think the longer you leave that, the more onus is on me to potentially help with some of those bridges.
"Last two Ryder Cups, I've had to deal with the world of golf. It's been very different from what we've ever seen before. I think there will always be people with different opinions and viewpoints.
"But when it comes to the Ryder Cup in the team room, I think they're all pretty aligned.
"It's obviously my job to make sure everyone is aligned. I like to use the phrase, 'even brothers fight sometimes'. But deep down, they love each other, and the mission is pretty clear when we play a Ryder Cup; to win.
"They understand that putting those feelings, those egos of different personalities, personal things to one side is important if you're going to be successful.
"I don't have any real qualms or issues that the team room won't be unified."
Henrik Stenson was announced as the European Ryder Cup captain in March 2022. Four months later, he confirmed he had accepted a deal to join LIV Golf and made his debut at LIV Bedminster later in July - ultimately going on to win the event.
The Swede, who was set to lead the team out at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in 2023, was subsequently stripped of the Ryder Cup captaincy. Meanwhile, European legends including Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood - who had all been backed to lead the team out at some stage in their careers - had also jumped ship to LIV. So, effectively ruling themselves out of the running to take up the captaincy.
Donald was selected as the captain for the 2023 Ryder Cup, but on Wednesday, he was asked whether he feels he would have got the chance to become captain, had LIV Golf not been conceived.
"I don't know the answer to that," Donald said. "I know there were a lot of people probably in line in front of me who went to LIV and obviously gave up that opportunity.
"But I'm a big believer that things happen for a reason, and when you have those opportunities, to take them as much as you can.
"Obviously, having one opportunity to do it in Italy was incredible. Now I'm sitting here having three opportunities, yeah, I never would have dreamed that."
He will now lead the European side out for the third time at Adare Manor in 2027, and a third victory would make him the most successful Ryder Cup captain in the history of the tournament.
The former world No 1 also explained on Wednesday that his players, including Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, had urged him to take up the leadership role once again.
"Sunday night in New York, I thought that was my time as captain. I'm very fortunate to be able to do it twice and to be a winning captain, home and away.
"I think you always dream of something like that happening, and it happened. I felt very good about that.
"But as the months went on... I live very close to Rory [McIlroy]. I live very close to Shane [Lowry] and Matt [Fitzpatrick]. I saw a few guys in Dubai in January as well. They were definitely very positive about me trying to go again.
"So, I started to think about it because, if your players really want you to do it, then I would at least consider that.
"Then I really wanted to talk to my family. It's a little bit of a burden on a family. My oldest daughter is 16. In two years' time, she'll be going to college. I knew, if I took this job on, it would be more time away than if I didn't. So that was a consideration.
"It's been a hugely positive experience for my family. Winning helps. But they've enjoyed some of the moments, especially the weeks of the Ryder Cup. It's been great for my family. So they were very much behind it."
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