Jon Rahm Rejects LIV Golf 2.0: Terms for Spaniards Are Unacceptable

According to his attorney, Jon Rahm will not participate in LIV Golf 2.0. The Spaniard considers the proposed terms unacceptable. This is reported consistently by several media outlets. Negotiations regarding the termination of his current contract are still ongoing; his next move in the sport remains uncertain.

The planned relaunch of LIV Golf is set to take place without Jon Rahm. At an insolvency hearing on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in New Jersey, his attorney John Beck stated that the two-time major champion had reviewed and rejected the offer for the future league. This was reported by BBC Sport and the Golf Channel, among others.

Golf Channel quotes Beck as saying, translated into German: “Mr. Rahm independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 … and concluded that they are unacceptable to him. He will not participate in LIV 2.0 in the future.” The statement does not specify which individual contract terms were decisive in the rejection.

The rejection pertains to the new model for the 2027 season. However, it does not mean that Rahm’s existing contractual commitment to LIV has already been completely terminated.

Jon Rahm Is Still Negotiating His Separation from LIV

According to BBC Sport, Rahm’s representatives and the league are in advanced talks regarding a mutually agreed-upon separation agreement. The goal is to finalize this agreement before a further hearing on November 5, if possible. Golf Channel cites October 15 as the target date for reaching an agreement. Neither report mentions an agreement that has already been signed.

This raises two distinct issues: Jon Rahm has decided against participating in LIV 2.0. The parties involved must still clarify the terms under which he will exit his existing contract. This legal separation is also relevant for potential discussions with other Tours.

What’s Behind the Planned LIV Golf 2.0 Relaunch

LIV Golf is seeking a new financial foundation after the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced the end of its previous funding. Since September, the league has been in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. This bankruptcy process can facilitate a restructuring; it does not necessarily mean the end of tournament operations.

A revamped league is planned for 2027. The concept includes player ownership stakes in the company, a shorter tournament schedule, and reduced prize money. According to a report by Golf Channel, the players are set to collectively receive 52.5 percent of the shares in the restructured league.

BC Partners Credit is expected to provide financing of up to $300 million. The BBC explicitly describes this as potential financing; a guaranteed relaunch cannot yet be inferred from this. The deadline for player commitments has been extended to October 25. Investor Ted Goldthorpe nevertheless expressed confidence to BBC Sport that he would be able to attract enough players to the new model.

Read more here about the capital commitment for LIV Golf.

Why Jon Rahm’s withdrawal is a major blow to LIV

With Rahm’s departure, the future project loses a player who has left a significant mark on the league so far. The Spaniard won the LIV individual overall standings in 2024, 2025, and 2026. His move in December 2023 was also one of the series’ most high-profile signings: Rahm joined as the reigning Masters champion and had already won the 2021 U.S. Open.

His significance thus goes beyond simply being a big name on the entry list. The planned relaunch will be missing a multiple overall champion and one of the most successful players in the competition’s history. It remains to be seen, however, which other professionals might decide against joining LIV 2.0.

What’s next for Jon Rahm?

One possible next stop is the DP World Tour. Rahm reached an agreement with the European Tour in May and retained his membership. This also preserved his basic eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup —though it does not guarantee a spot on the European team. A decision to play a full season on the DP World Tour has not yet been announced either.

A return to the PGA Tour would not be an automatic next step. The Tour intends to discuss a return with players only once their contractual obligations to LIV have been resolved. Brooks Koepka returned under a temporary special provision that Jon Rahm did not take advantage of at the time. As a result, there is currently no binding path for him to return.

For now, therefore, the separation agreement with LIV remains the next crucial step. Only after that will it become clearer where Rahm will compete regularly in the future.