The open secret now has official confirmation. Jon Rahm will not continue with LIV Golf. The information that had been circulating for weeks, also in Ten Golf, was confirmed this Wednesday in the court handling the league’s bankruptcy. His lawyer, John Beck, has stated that the golfer from Barrika considers the conditions of the new project unacceptable and that he will not be part of LIV 2.0
«Mr Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms for LIV 2.0… and has determined they are unacceptable to him, and therefore he will not participate in LIV 2.0 going forward», Beck said during the second hearing of the restructuring proceedings, according to several American media outlets
The lawyer also explained that both parties are working to finalise a separation agreement no later than 15 October, ahead of a new hearing scheduled for the 5 November. There are, therefore, two separate matters: Rahm’s decision not to continue in the league has already been communicated; the terms of his separation are still being negotiated
It is the formal step that was missing in a story that had long been pointing in this direction. Rahm reviewed the proposal to stay and rejected it. In fact, he had been very clear even before receiving the offer. What remains now is to resolve how his contractual relationship is closed and, from there, how his sporting future is organised
A huge blow for LIV 2.0
Rahm’s departure, as was already known, represents a particularly significant loss for a league trying to rebuild after the withdrawal of financial backing from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. LIV has found in BC Partners Credit support for its restructuring, with an investment commitment of up to $300 million, subject to court approval, and a model that aims to give players ownership stakes in the league and its teams
The project includes a schedule of ten tournaments in 2027, at least half of them outside the United States. But, beyond financing, it needs players willing to accept the new terms. The retention of its big names is a key element of that relaunch attempt
Rahm was, alongside Bryson DeChambeau, one of its main selling points to potential investors. His departure comes after winning three consecutive individual titles in the LIV season, a demonstration of the sporting weight he has had since joining
An important financial issue also remains to be resolved. As was initially reported in Ten Golf, the figure of Jon’s contract with LIV amounts to just over $300 million, while the Financial Times reported a few days ago that the outstanding debt to be collected is above $100 million
The news puts an expiry date on a chapter that began with another announcement of enormous impact. On 7 December 2023, Rahm confirmed his signing for LIV Golf, a move that strengthened the league amid its showdown with the PGA Tour and while the development of the framework agreement between the US circuit and the PIF was still being negotiated. Less than three years later, the scene has changed completely
Leaving LIV does not mean an immediate return to the PGA Tour
The next question is obvious: where will Jon Rahm play in 2027? The confirmation of his departure does not automatically resolve his return to the PGA Tour
Applying the precedent of a one-year waiting period from the last tournament played in LIV would place his possible return at the end of August 2027. That does not amount to having his schedule or the conditions under which he could rejoin already confirmed. This point is also being negotiated, with Rahm’s team confident that an agreement will be reached with the PGA Tour for him to play from the start of 2027
Recall that the US circuit opened an exceptional route in January through the Returning Member Program, the programme that allowed Brooks Koepka to return and which was also available to Rahm, DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. The Biscayan decided not to take that opportunity and the window closed. It was also not at all easy to disengage from the contract he had with LIV
Since then, the PGA Tour has maintained that it does not intend to reopen that mechanism. Its chief executive, Brian Rolapp, reiterated that position in September, after LIV sought to avail itself of the bankruptcy process. For now, there is no announced new extraordinary entry route
In this context, the DP World Tour appears as an option to build a full season and seek, through its results, a PGA Tour card for 2028. The unknown is no longer whether he will accept the conditions of LIV 2.0. His lawyer has answered that question in court. What remains is to finalise the exit and learn his next destination
Full statements from Jon Rahm’s lawyer in court today
«For the record, I am John Beck, of Dentons U.S., LLP, representing Jon Rahm and his company, Rahm, LLC. I wanted to speak briefly to join Mr Martorana’s comments and provide Your Honour with some additional context on Mr Rahm’s position, where we believe we stand and where we believe we are headed
»First, Your Honour, Mr Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms for LIV 2.0, as the parties have been calling it, and has determined that they are unacceptable to him, and therefore he will not participate in LIV 2.0 going forward
»As Mr Martorana has noted, the parties are therefore engaged in advanced negotiations to reach a consensual separation agreement between Mr Rahm and LIV, the scope of which goes beyond the motion to reject the contract that is before Your Honour today
»To that end, we expect to finalise that separation agreement and file with Your Honour a motion for approval under Rule 9019 no later than 15 October, so that it may be considered at the 5 November hearing
»If, for any reason, the parties are unable to reach a separation agreement by mutual consent, Mr Rahm intends to proceed with his objection to the motion to reject the contract. We have already provided a draft of that objection to the debtors’ attorneys and we will appear before Your Honour again on 5 November to address the scope and applicable provisions of any order that seeks to authorise the rejection of Mr Rahm’s contract
»With that, Your Honour, unless you have any questions, I will again yield the floor to the debtors’ counsel»
