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Luke Donald insists there have been no assurances given to stars that they will be in his team even if they win their appeal to play in the tournament. Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm have been told they must earn the right to feature for Team Europe.

Both golfers are appealing sanctions imposed by the Europe-based DP World Tour for playing in LIV Golf events, which would allow them to reach the minimum four starts on that circuit to be considered for the Ryder Cup. Players who appear on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour face fines and suspensions from both the DP World Tour and the .

Hatton is currently fourth in the Ryder Cup rankings, which would earn him an automatic spot if he is eligible to compete. Rahm is further down in 29th and will likely require entry via the six places that Donald gets to decide himself.

Donald is set to start the PGA Championship this week. However, many of the questions aimed at the 47-year-old centred around whether LIV Golf players could play at the Ryder Cup later this year. He said: "I certainly think it's a little too early to be giving anyone firm assurances right now.

"We have three majors, elevated events, plenty of other events, (DP World Tour) Rolex Series events to play. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it."

"I would love for them to be eligible. But again, I'm not involved in that process. That is not my role. I'll leave that up to [DP World Tour CEO] Guy [Kinnings]. I think he can answer that one better than me."

Pressed specifically on Jon Rahm, Donald added: "We do have a lot of stats. In terms of Jon, he's one of the best players in the world, and I would expect him to be on that team, but I certainly haven't given him those assurances. He still needs to keep going and playing just like everyone else. Again, no assurances have been given right now."

Rahm hopes to be included. The Spaniard said at Quail Hollow: "That's a question for Luke. It's his team. Hopefully I can qualify, and we don't have to question it I would like to think that personally I am, but it's not up to me."