Jon Rahm has announced that he will leave the LIV Golf organization after concluding that the conditions presented for the league’s proposed relaunch are not acceptable to him. The decision comes at a turbulent time for LIV Golf, which is currently navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States. The bankruptcy filing followed the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund at the close of the previous season, a fund that had poured roughly $5 billion (about £3.7 billion) into the venture over a four‑year period. In recent weeks, several players, most notably Spain’s own Sergio García, successfully petitioned the bankruptcy court to lift the automatic stay that had frozen their contracts.
By having the stay removed, those players were free to explore alternative playing opportunities for the upcoming season. Rahm, however, was not granted a comparable release, leaving him in a more complicated contractual limbo. The Spanish golfer is one of the two marquee names still attached to LIV Golf, the other being former world number one Bryson DeChambeau.
According to reports, Rahm’s contract – signed almost three years ago – could be worth as much as $150 million (approximately £113 million) for the remaining term. The size of that figure underscores how significant his departure could be for both parties.
During a recent bankruptcy hearing, John Beck, the attorney representing Rahm, stated, “Mr Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0.” This clear statement left little doubt about the golfer’s stance. The Athletic has reported that Rahm and the LIV organization are now negotiating a separation agreement. Sources close to the matter say a final settlement is expected to be signed by October 15.
In the meantime, Rahm withdrew from this week’s Open de España in Madrid, opting to stay home with his wife, Kelley, who is pregnant with their fourth child. The family‑first decision was widely praised and highlighted the personal considerations that often accompany high‑profile contract disputes. Beyond the LIV saga, Rahm has already taken steps that suggest a possible return to the more traditional golf tours.
Earlier in May, he resolved a long‑standing dispute with the DP World Tour by paying roughly £2.21 million in fines for having competed in events that conflicted with the tour’s schedule. By settling that matter, he secured conditional releases that will be effective through 2026 and restored his eligibility for selection to the Ryder Cup team. When the PGA Tour introduced a specially designed Returning Member Program – a pathway intended to bring back players who had left for LIV – Rahm was among those invited, alongside Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
Koepka was the only one to accept the offer. Rahm declined, meaning that if he wishes to rejoin the PGA Tour he will be subject to the standard reinstatement rules, which include a mandatory one‑year suspension.
Consequently, the earliest he could compete on the PGA Tour again would be late August of next year. The broader context of Rahm’s decision reflects the ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf’s future.
The league’s financial model, heavily dependent on sovereign wealth funding, has been called into question after the Public Investment Fund pulled out. The bankruptcy court’s involvement has added a layer of legal complexity, with players having to navigate stay orders, contract buyouts, and potential penalties. For fans who want to follow the Open de España, live coverage is available on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 1 p.m.
on Thursday, with additional programming on Sky Sports Main Event at 3 p.m. Viewers can also explore Sky Sports’ latest subscription deals or opt for a contract‑free streaming option. In summary, Jon Rahm’s exit from LIV Golf marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing saga of the breakaway league. By rejecting the proposed terms and seeking a settlement, he underscores the challenges the organization faces in retaining top talent amid financial and legal turmoil.
At the same time, his willingness to resolve issues with the DP World Tour and his potential future return to the PGA Tour indicate that his career will continue to thrive, whether on traditional circuits or elsewhere, once the contractual impasse is finally resolved.