Jon Rahm Poised to Exit LIV Golf Amid Financial Turmoil and Contract Disputes
LIV Golf faces a potential seismic blow as its marquee player, Jon Rahm, appears set to depart the league.
Sources close to the circuit have conveyed to The Telegraph that LIV executives are “almost resigned” to Rahm’s exit, signaling a major shift for the financially embattled organisation. Rahm, the highest-ranked player in LIV and a two-time season-long points champion, is reportedly preparing to return to the DP World Tour in 2027.
The departure of Rahm, currently ranked No. 13 in the Official World Golf Ranking, comes at a critical juncture for LIV Golf. The league’s financial stability is under intense scrutiny following the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s withdrawal of funding earlier this year. Although LIV CEO Scott O’Neil announced last week that an agreement with a new lead investor has been reached to sustain operations, specifics on the investor, financial terms, and timeline remain undisclosed, leaving the league’s future uncertain.
Rahm’s standing in LIV is far from trivial. He has secured four wins within the league, including two in 2026, and clinched his third consecutive individual championship just last week at LIV Golf New York. Despite his success, Rahm reportedly remains owed a “nine-figure” portion of his staggering $300 million signing bonus, highlighting ongoing contractual tensions.
The reported move to the DP World Tour follows a prolonged impasse. Unlike eight other LIV players granted conditional releases to compete on the DP World Tour earlier this year, Rahm held out for more favourable terms, resulting in months of deadlock. A breakthrough came in May when Rahm announced an agreement with DPWT, a crucial development since maintaining DPWT membership is essential for European players’ eligibility in prestigious events like the Ryder Cup.
Compounding LIV’s woes is the apparent collapse of its remaining 2026 schedule. The league officially lists two events left: LIV Golf Indianapolis and the LIV Golf Team Championship in Michigan. However, TV host Craig Doyle declared the Indianapolis event will be the final tournament of the season, effectively canceling the Michigan fixture. This is corroborated by the removal of ticket sales for the Michigan event from LIV’s official website, although no formal announcement has been made.
The DP World Tour’s stance also stiffened recently, with The Athletic reporting plans to fine LIV players in 2027 under its conflicting events policy. The conditional release deal that allowed eight LIV members to compete on both tours in 2026 is unlikely to be renewed, placing further pressure on players like Rahm to finalize their competitive affiliations.
With Rahm’s exit looming, LIV Golf stands on precarious ground, potentially losing its most influential competitor amidst financial uncertainty and fractured relations with other tours. The landscape of professional golf could face transformative changes as this controversy unfolds.