Jon Rahm Leaves LIV Golf: Separation Agreed Upon, 19 Contracts Rejected

Jon Rahm and LIV Golf agreed to part ways in mid-October. Under the agreement, the two-time major champion waives all financial claims against the league, which has been in U.S. bankruptcy proceedings since September. In return, he regains his rights to his name, image, and likeness. The agreement must be approved on November 5 by the presiding bankruptcy judge in New Jersey. On Wednesday, the court also ruled that LIV is no longer required to honor the contracts of 19 other players.

With Rahm’s departure, LIV Golf loses its most famous player and its largest unsecured creditor. Together with the rejected contracts, this move marks a turning point for a league that plans to relaunch in 2027 with a significantly scaled-back format. For European golfers, much also depends on whether they will be able to play on the DP World Tour and in the Ryder Cup in the future.

The Separation Agreement

Rahm is waiving all financial claims against LIV Golf and its affiliated companies. According to reports, this involves payments that were still outstanding for the remainder of his contract. An official figure has not been released. Estimates put the amount at up to $100 million.

The agreement also provides for the following:

• Rahm regains his rights to his name, image, and likeness (NIL), as well as the “Rahmbo” and “Legion XIII” trademarks.
• He is relinquishing his shares in Team Legion XIII. LIV retains the rights to historical footage featuring Rahm.
• He may not use the name “Legion XIII” in other leagues, such as the TGL simulator league.
• He is no longer subject to any LIV rules or team requirements and may collaborate with other Tours, leagues, or sponsors without the league’s consent.

Rahm’s attorney, John Beck, had already announced the decision in early October. He stated: “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 court documents refer to a “complete financial withdrawal.”

Read more: Jon Rahm Rejects LIV Golf 2.0: Terms Unacceptable to Spaniard

Rahm’s record at LIV

Rahm moved from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf in December 2023. The value of his contract was estimated at the time to be more than $300 million. There was never an official confirmation. In the 2024 through 2026 seasons, he won the LIV individual standings each year. According to ESPN, he earned approximately $107 million in prize money.

In majors, his results fell short of his earlier successes. His two titles came in 2021 (U.S. Open) and 2023 (Masters). He finished second at the 2026 PGA Championship. When LIV filed for bankruptcy in September, Rahm was the league’s largest unsecured creditor, with a claim of $7.5 million for the third quarter of 2026 alone.

The Rejection of 19 Player Contracts

On Wednesday, the bankruptcy court allowed LIV to reject the contracts of 19 players. The term originates from U.S. bankruptcy law and means that the bankrupt company is released from its contractual obligations. The players are no longer required to fulfill the agreed-upon terms. A potential claim for damages remains valid and is typically asserted as an unsecured claim in the proceedings.

LIV had argued that the existing contracts did not align with the compensation structure planned for LIV 2.0. The league intends to restructure its business model to include player equity stakes.

The following players are affected:

• Bryson DeChambeau
• Dustin Johnson
• Cameron Smith
• Thomas Detry
• Michael La Sasso
• Harold Varner III
• Lucas Herbert
• Caleb Surratt
• Marc Leishman
• Ian Poulter
• Lee Westwood
• Laurie Canter
• Bubba Watson
• Ben An
• Anirban Lahiri
• Victor Perez
• Cameron Tringale
• Sam Horsfield
• Brendan Steele

It remains to be seen how the players will decide. According to reports, Cameron Tringale has already committed to LIV 2.0. Anirban Lahiri wants to wait and see. At a press conference ahead of the start of the DP World Tour’s India Championship, he said, “Give it another month, a month and a half, and then everyone will know exactly what’s going to happen one way or another.”

Bryson DeChambeau has not yet made up his mind. According to reports, his lawyers are helping players negotiate better terms. According to USA TODAY, Adrian Meronk, David Puig, and Abraham Ancer have stated that they will not be moving to LIV 2.0. However, they are not on the list of the 19 contracts.

Sergio Garcia is in a special position. The court has allowed him to terminate his contract in writing. He received the notice on October 6.

Implications for Europe: DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup

The DP World Tour is drawing a clear line. On October 12, CEO Guy Kinnings confirmed to BBC Sport that players who compete in LIV 2.0 in 2027 will no longer be allowed to be members of the Tour. He said, “The players have to make a decision.” According to reports, about 15 players with Tour status are affected, including Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. Only members of the DP World Tour are eligible to compete for Europe in the Ryder Cup. Anyone who chooses LIV will therefore miss out on competing in the 2027 tournament at Adare Manor (September 17–19).

LIV attorney Robert Fitzgerald criticized the move in court: “This strikes us as a clear attempt to disrupt our process with our players and, possibly, our restructuring as a whole.” Judge Michael B. Kaplan stated that the Tour’s stance raises concerns. The DP World Tour must implement its decision by November 16.

Rahm remains a member of the DP World Tour. He will compete in the Abu Dhabi Championship from November 5–8. According to CBS, he said: “I’ve heard nothing but good things about Yas Links and am looking forward to playing there.”

Read more: DP World Tour Forces LIV Players to Make a Decision – 2027 Ryder Cup in Jeopardy

The path to the PGA Tour remains open

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has stated on multiple occasions that there will be no new return policy similar to the Returning Member Program. Brooks Koepka has been the only player to benefit from it so far. The Tour also does not engage with players who are contractually bound to LIV. With the approval of the agreement, this obstacle for Rahm is removed. Typically, the PGA Tour suspends players for one year following their last LIV tournament. Rahm also has playing privileges through 2028 thanks to his victory at the 2023 Masters.

LIV Golf 2.0: The League’s Plans

Following its bankruptcy filing, LIV secured investor BC Partners. The financing package totals up to $300 million. However, reports indicate that only $4 million of that amount has been firmly committed so far. BC Partners manager Ted Goldthorpe remained confident nonetheless: “The machine is running; we’re signing players. I’m very confident.”

The planned league is set to consist of only ten tournaments in 2027. The players are to receive 52.5 percent of the shares. The deadline for their commitments is October 25 and may be extended. From the players’ perspective, the response has been cautious. Adrian Meronk told the AP news agency: “I’m going to wait and see for now. We still have a few weeks, but that helps a lot.”

What Happens Next

Analysis

With Rahm’s departure, LIV Golf is losing the player who has had the greatest impact on the league over the past three years. This is a major blow to the future of LIV 2.0, as much of the league’s appeal was based on big-name players. Whether the remaining players stay will be decided in the next two weeks. For the European golf scene, the DP World Tour’s stance is particularly important. It will determine where many professionals will be able to play starting in 2027.