Jon Rahm has announced that he will walk away from LIV Golf 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 the breakaway circuit, which is currently navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States.
The financial engine behind LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, pulled its backing at the close of the previous season, ending a four‑year partnership that saw roughly $5 billion (about £3.7 billion) poured into the venture. In the midst of the bankruptcy process, several players—including former major champion Sergio García—have successfully petitioned the court to lift the automatic stay that binds them to their LIV contracts. That legal maneuver effectively frees those players to explore other playing opportunities for the upcoming season.
Rahm, however, was not granted a comparable release, leaving him in a more constrained position. The Spanish star is one of the two marquee names still attached to LIV Golf, the other being Bryson DeChambeau. According to court filings, Rahm’s contract, which he signed almost three years ago, could be worth as much as $150 million (approximately £113 million) for the remaining term. Despite the lucrative figure, Rahm’s legal counsel, John Beck, told the bankruptcy judge that Rahm had independently reviewed the draft terms for the so‑called “LIV 2.0” and found them unsatisfactory.
"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," Beck said during the hearing. The Athletic reported that both parties are now negotiating a separation agreement, with the aim of finalising the deal by October 15. In the meantime, Rahm withdrew from this week’s Open de España in Madrid, opting to stay at home with his wife, Kelley, who is expecting their fourth child.
Beyond the immediate legal wrangling, Rahm has already begun laying the groundwork for a possible return to the established tours. 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.
That payment secured him a conditional release for the 2026 season and restored his eligibility for the Ryder Cup, an event he has previously helped the United States win. Earlier this year, the PGA Tour extended a special reinstatement pathway known as the Returning Member Program to Rahm, along with fellow former LIV players Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. While Koepka accepted the offer, Rahm declined, preferring to keep his options open while the LIV situation unfolds.
Under the PGA Tour’s rules, Rahm would now face a mandatory one‑year suspension before he could compete again on the PGA Tour, meaning he would be barred from playing in any PGA Tour events until at least late August of next year. The broader context of Rahm’s decision reflects the uncertainty that has engulfed LIV Golf since the Public Investment Fund’s withdrawal. The league’s original business model—offering massive signing bonuses and prize purses to attract top talent—has been severely compromised. Without the promised financial backing, the organization must renegotiate contracts, restructure its schedule, and convince players that the new terms will still deliver competitive opportunities and financial security.
For Rahm, the calculus involves more than just money. As a 31‑year‑old with a growing family, he has expressed a desire for stability and a clear path to the most prestigious events in the sport, such as the majors and the Ryder Cup. The DP World Tour settlement and his eligibility for the Ryder Cup suggest that he is positioning himself to re‑enter the traditional golf ecosystem, even if it means sitting out for a year on the PGA Tour. Fans of the sport can still catch the Open de España live on Sky Sports Golf starting at 1 p.m.
on Thursday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event from 3 p.m. Those interested in streaming options can look for Sky Sports deals that do not require a long‑term contract. As the legal and financial drama surrounding LIV Golf continues to unfold, all eyes remain on Rahm’s next move, which will likely shape his career trajectory for years to come.