Jon Rahm leaving LIV Golf is now official in every way except the paperwork. His attorney told a New Jersey bankruptcy court on Wednesday that the two-time major champion will not take part in the league’s restructured version.
For a circuit already fighting for its life, that is a brutal hit. Rahm won the season-long LIV individual title in each of his three years with the league, according to Golf Digest. The move also lands in the middle of a bigger story, which we covered when LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy.
What Rahm’s Lawyer Told the Court About the Split
The statement came at the second hearing in LIV’s Chapter 11 case on Oct. 7, per Sportico. John Beck of Dentons, representing Rahm and his company, Rahm, LLC, did not soften it.
“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.”
That wording comes from the Golf.com account of the hearing. Other outlets quote it with small differences, so treat the exact phrasing as reported, not official.
Beck also said Rahm and LIV are in “advanced discussions” on a consensual separation agreement. The target date is Oct. 15, according to ESPN. So far, neither Rahm nor LIV has put out a statement of their own.
Why Jon Rahm Leaving LIV Golf Hits the League So Hard
Rahm jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV in December 2023 as the reigning Masters champion. The deal was reportedly worth $300 million or more, though the exact figure varies by outlet and has never been confirmed.
His contract also sits at the center of the bankruptcy. It was the only existing player deal not yet rejected in the case, and the court pushed it to a Nov. 5 hearing. Meanwhile, LIV’s filing lists his player participation agreement as its largest unsecured claim, at $7.47 million.
Timing makes the Rahm LIV departure even worse. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said in April that it would stop funding LIV after the 2026 season. The league filed for bankruptcy in September, and Fox News/OutKick reports the PIF put in $50 million to keep things running during the case. Rumors of trouble had been swirling for a while, as our look at the LIV bankruptcy rumors showed.
LIV 2.0 Without Its Biggest Name
LIV 2.0 is a restructured entity built on a player-equity model, with players becoming shareholders. Rahm decided that package does not work for him. He is not the first to move. Sergio Garcia received a release from his contract earlier this week, per NBC Sports.
Several other players have not formally taken a position on rejection of their contracts. They include Bryson DeChambeau, Byeong Hun An, Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Cameron Tringale and Matthew Wolff. Sportico says the league’s future largely hinges on keeping DeChambeau.
Ted Goldthorpe of BC Partners told a London conference on Oct. 6, “We’re all systems go.” Rahm leaves LIV a day later, and that line becomes a tougher sell.
Where Does Rahm Play Next After He Quits LIV Golf?
Nobody knows yet. The PGA Tour has said it will not negotiate with current LIV players unless they are out of their LIV contracts, and Tour sources told Golf.com that still applies to Rahm. He also did not use the Tour’s one-time Returning Member Program, which closed to applicants on Feb. 2.
Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said on Sept. 15 that there are no current plans to bring that program back. Sports Illustrated says a quick return will be tricky and notes he could face a one-year suspension before coming back. Golf.com adds that he might play a limited schedule using his 2023 Masters exemption, depending on the Tour’s eligibility ruling.
There is one clear bright spot. Rahm settled his DP World Tour fines dispute in May, which restored his eligibility for the 2027 European Ryder Cup team. Fans can also expect to see him at the game’s biggest events, such as the Open Championship, if his eligibility allows.
What to Watch Next as Jon Rahm Leaving LIV Golf Plays Out
Two dates matter most. The first is Oct. 15, the target for the Rahm-LIV separation deal. The second is the Nov. 5 bankruptcy hearing, which some outlets also cite as the deadline to get it done.
In the meantime, LIV and BC Partners have roughly three weeks to sign players for the new model. If Rahm’s exit from LIV is followed by DeChambeau passing too, the league’s second act could look very different from the first.
