Golfer Jon Rahm is withdrawing from LIV Golf, with his lawyer stating the proposed terms for the tour's relaunch are "unacceptable," marking a significant setback for the controversial circuit.
The decision by Rahm, a two-time major champion and former world number one, casts further doubt on the future of the Saudi-backed league, which is seeking to rebrand as "LIV 2.0" following financial difficulties. Rahm, alongside Bryson DeChambeau, was one of the most high-profile players to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
According to Rahm's lawyer, John Beck, the golfer reviewed the proposed terms for LIV 2.0 and found them unsuitable. Beck informed a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing on Wednesday that "advanced discussions for a consensual separation agreement" are underway, with an expected court presentation next month. Should an agreement not be reached, Rahm intends to contest the terms through legal channels.
Launched in 2022, LIV Golf initiated significant disruption and division within the sport, attracting top players with substantial financial incentives. The tour's primary backer, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), reportedly invested approximately $5 billion before halting further funding earlier this year, leading to LIV filing for bankruptcy protection.
Bankruptcy filings indicate LIV Golf has liabilities estimated between $500 million and $1 billion, with creditors including prominent players. Rahm, DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson are listed as holding the largest unsecured claims for unpaid past-due payments, each exceeding $5 million. Despite these challenges, a new lead investor, BC Partners Credit, has committed an initial $300 million to facilitate LIV's relaunch, reportedly scheduled for 2027.
Details of the proposed "LIV 2.0" include a shortened schedule, reduced prize money, and tournaments planned across five continents. While reports suggest potential pathways back to the PGA Tour for some LIV players, the PGA Tour has stated it currently has no plans to facilitate such moves. Rahm's immediate future plans remain undisclosed, though he recently announced he would miss the Spanish Open to attend the birth of his fourth child.
