Akshay Bhatia has rejected an offer to join LIV Golf. The left-handed golfer has decided to continue on the PGA Tour, according to multiple sources confirmed to GolfChannel.com. The news is significant. In fact, it is another setback for the Saudi league, which has been receiving several lately. The young American, without being a superstar although a double winner on the PGA Tour, would have been a signing of some impact for the Saudi circuit, probably the biggest since the arrival of Tyrrell Hatton in January 2023.
Bhatia, who has played in the Tour Championship in the last two seasons, finished 2025 ranked 46th in the world, a profile that fits LIV’s search in recent times, given that the best players seem out of reach: young talent, already proven, but not needing to be convinced with a ton of millions. However, the deal has not materialised.
Bhatia’s rejection comes at a particularly significant time for LIV Golf. In December, it was revealed that Brooks Koepka amicably parted ways with the league, a move that, by name and track record, reopens the debate about the real attraction power of the Saudi circuit when it comes to established or emerging top-tier stars.
In recent months, LIV has indeed secured signings, but far from the media impact of a Rahm or Hatton. Victor Perez joined in November and, in December, Laurie Canter did, who had secured a PGA Tour card through his final position in the Race to Dubai of the DP World Tour. For reference, Canter was 63rd in the world when he signed, and Perez 122nd.
Bhatia would indeed have been a signing with some weight due to his projection. He is 23 years old, with two victories on the PGA Tour (Barracuda Championship 2023 and Valero Texas Open 2024), recent presence in the Tour Championship, already a regular in the Majors and Top 50 in the world. Such a name today represents more than just a signing in times of drought.
As it stands, LIV has not managed to close a deal with a “top” player for some time and the failed attempt with Bhatia once again highlights the difficulty in attracting truly outstanding profiles, especially when the player is already established in the competitive elite of the PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, LIV Golf has the calendar just around the corner. The league plans to start its 2026 season in February in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), with the feeling that the big headline of the winter has not been a blockbuster signing, but quite the opposite. By the way, with a month to go before the season starts, Talor Gooch’s team still has a vacancy following Koepka’s departure.
