Jon Rahm and other top players exit LIV Golf as league restructures
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The gist
Jon Rahm's lawyer told a New Jersey judge his client has no interest in joining LIV Golf 2.0.
Players must now pick LIV or the DP World Tour for 2027.
Background
LIV Golf is the Saudi-backed breakaway tour that launched in 2022; it lost the financial support of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund earlier this year, throwing its future into doubt. Executives devised a plan, dubbed 'LIV 2.0', centered on securing new investment for 2027 and beyond, with the league to be majority player-owned. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month to aid restructuring, and found investment in BC Partners Credit, which committed to a target of $300 million for an attempted 2027 return. Jon Rahm is LIV's No. 1 player, a Spanish golfer whose exit was confirmed by his lawyer.
How it unfolded
- Dec 23, 2025Brooks Koepka announced his departure from LIV Golf, citing a desire to remain closer to his family; he and LIV parted mutually, voiding the final year of his contract.
- Jan 28, 2026Patrick Reed made his exit official, declining a new contract offer after his original deal expired at the end of 2025.
- Sep 2026LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew all financial support at the end of the 2026 campaign.
- Oct 6, 2026Sergio Garcia was given notice that his LIV Golf contract had been terminated in a legal hearing in New Jersey, at his request through his lawyer.
- Oct 7, 2026Jon Rahm's lawyer told a New Jersey judge at a bankruptcy hearing that his client had reviewed LIV's proposal and had 'no interest' in joining the revamped tour.
- Oct 12, 2026DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings announced that golfers competing in LIV Golf during 2027 would not qualify for European Tour membership under the revised eligibility policy.
- Oct 14, 2026A lawyer representing LIV Golf reportedly told a federal bankruptcy court judge the circuit will know by the end of the month if it has a future into 2027 or will be shutting down operations.
- Oct 15, 2026Flushing It Golf reported that Thomas Pieters had informed him he will not be joining LIV Golf 2.0.
- Oct 16, 2026Sports Business Journal's Josh Carpenter reported that Charles Howell III will not join LIV Golf 2.0 following the expiration of his original LIV contract at the end of the 2026 season.
- Oct 21, 2026Louis Oosthuizen announced on social media that he is leaving LIV Golf and plans to return to the DP World Tour beginning in 2027.
- Nov 5, 2026A court hearing is scheduled in New Jersey on Jon Rahm's proposed separation agreement with LIV Golf.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Jon Rahm's lawyer said Rahm reviewed the proposed LIV 2.0 terms, found them unacceptable, and will not participate going forward.
- Party
- David Puig said he doesn't see himself playing LIV 2.0 and hopes to play the European Tour next year with a fuller schedule.
- Caution
- Adrian Meronk said he hasn't made an official decision and will wait two-three weeks, but most likely will stay on the DP World Tour.
- Official
- BC Partners Credit chief Ted Goldthorpe said the players are everything and are very important to the league's future.
Still unverified
Reports say an official separation agreement between Rahm and LIV Golf will be finalized in mid-October and awaits court approval. Sergio Garcia could still sign a new contract to play LIV Golf 2.0, though his request to terminate his deal would seem to indicate a desire to end his time with LIV.