Golfer Jon Rahm is preparing to leave LIV Golf after his attorney, John Beck, stated during a bankruptcy court hearing that the proposed terms for the league’s relaunch are "unacceptable." Rahm is working with the league on a separation agreement expected to be finalized by October 15, 2026. The move comes as LIV Golf undergoes Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States.
LIV Golf entered restructuring after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew its financial support. The PIF had invested approximately $5 billion in the league over a four-year period. While the league is seeking to emerge from bankruptcy as "LIV 2.0" with new investment, several players have sought legal routes to terminate their existing contracts.
During a hearing in New Jersey, Beck told the court that Rahm would not be participating in the relaunch. Rahm is reportedly owed up to $150 million for the remainder of his original contract. While other players like Sergio Garcia successfully petitioned the court to lift stays on their contracts, Rahm’s exit is being handled through separate negotiations. Rahm has already taken steps toward returning to traditional tours, having paid approximately £2.21 million in fines to the DP World Tour to secure eligibility for the 2026 season and the Ryder Cup.
For Rahm specifically, the scale of the financial impact includes the potential forfeiture or settlement of the $150 million remaining on his contract. Fans will notice Rahm's absence from the LIV schedule and his eventual return to traditional circuits, though he faces a mandatory one-year suspension from the PGA Tour. This means he would not be eligible to play in PGA Tour events until late August 2027.
The effects extend to the broader golf market and the viability of the new LIV 2.0 entity. While BC Partners Credit has offered a potential $300 million investment to sustain the league through 2027, the loss of a top-ranked player like Rahm may influence the decisions of other marquee athletes like DeChambeau or Cameron Smith. The next phase for the league involves continuing restructuring discussions with players until a deadline of October 25, 2026.