Jon Rahm to leave LIV Golf amid financial turmoil
Jon Rahm is set to leave LIV Golf after deciding the proposed terms for the league’s planned 2027 relaunch are unacceptable, his lawyer has told a US bankruptcy court, reports BritPanorama.
The Saudi-backed circuit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its multibillion-dollar funding. LIV has since secured the possibility of $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit as it tries to keep the league running and prepare for the next season.
Rahm, 31, was among LIV’s biggest signings, joining from the PGA Tour in December 2023 in a deal reportedly worth £222 million. He is now listed as the league’s largest unsecured creditor, owed $7.5 million (£5.5 million).
His lawyer, John Beck, told the court hearing that Rahm had “independently reviewed the terms of LIV 2.0 and determined those terms are unacceptable as to him.” The court later heard that LIV and Rahm’s representatives were “in advanced discussions for a consensual separation agreement.” The parties hope to finalise the arrangement before a hearing on November 5.
LIV players are owed at least $45 million (£33 million) collectively and have the option to leave. The agreement gives the league until October 25 to continue discussions with players about its proposed future terms. Golfers are not obliged to sign up for LIV 2.0, even if they previously agreed to multi-year contracts. Rahm remained with LIV after several players, including Brooks Koepka, returned to the PGA Tour.
He also reached an agreement with the DP World Tour in May, keeping his membership and eligibility for next year’s Ryder Cup. A separate dispute over player contracts also came before the court, with former Masters champion Sergio Garcia granted a special arrangement allowing his contract to be terminated.
Once the agreement is signed, Garcia is believed to be free to negotiate with other parties. He has said he wants to give himself the “best chance” of playing in next year’s Ryder Cup. Lawyers representing players including Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith sought clarification on whether contract rejection would allow them to discuss their futures with rival tours and sponsors.
LIV’s lawyers did not agree to extend Garcia’s arrangement to the other players, stating they needed more time to review the contracts, with the issue adjourned until October 14. BC Partners Credit head Ted Goldthorpe expressed confidence that LIV could recruit enough players by the October 25 deadline, indicating they are also working on business and event plans to revitalise the league.
The ongoing sagas in golf reflect how quickly fortunes can change in sport, leaving even the brightest stars reevaluating their paths.
