Jon Rahm will not join LIV Golf relaunch, lawyer tells bankruptcy court

Jon Rahm will not take part in "LIV 2.0", the planned relaunch of LIV Golf. His attorney, John Beck, said this at a US bankruptcy court hearing. The BBC, The Guardian and ESPN all reported the statement.

ESPN quoted Beck as saying: "Mr. Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0".

Rahm and LIV Golf are working toward a separation agreement.

LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States in September 2026. This followed the withdrawal of funding by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Court documents list Rahm first among LIV's 30 largest unsecured creditors, with a claim of $7.5m.

LIV has secured possible financing of $300m from BC Partners, subject to conditions, to try to hold a 2027 season. Current LIV players have until 25 October to commit to the league.

Rahm, 31, joined LIV from the PGA Tour in December 2023. He is a two-time major champion. He has won LIV's season-long individual title in each of the past three seasons. In May, he resolved his dispute with the DP World Tour and remains eligible for the Ryder Cup. Sergio García has been released from his LIV contract through the bankruptcy proceedings.

What else is reported

According to ESPN, the hearing took place on Wednesday before Judge Michael B. Kaplan in New Jersey. ESPN said a condition of the BC Partners deal is the "execution of New Player Agreements consistent with the LIV 2.0 business plan that include players required by BC Partners".

The Guardian reported that Rahm may be owed up to $150m for the rest of his contract. ESPN said he is believed to be owed more than $100m. According to the BBC, players are not obliged to sign on to LIV 2.0.

What is disputed

• Separation date: the BBC said it is hoped the agreement will be finalised by a hearing on 5 November. ESPN reported that Beck gave 15 October as the target; The Guardian, citing The Athletic, reported the same date.
• Contract value: the BBC reported £222m ($300m); ESPN reported more than $300m.
• Exact wording: the BBC's version of Beck's statement differs slightly.

What each side says

Rahm, through Beck, says the terms are unacceptable. The BBC reported that it was later said the sides were "in advanced discussions for a consensual separation agreement between Mr Rahm and LIV", without naming the speaker. According to ESPN, LIV chief executive Scott O'Neil has said LIV 2.0 would have 10 tournaments with smaller purses. ESPN quoted Rahm as saying in May 2026: "Right now, I have several years in my contract left. I'm pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that, so I don't see many ways out."

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe the specific terms Rahm rejected. They do not include a response from LIV Golf or BC Partners, or a direct statement from Rahm about the decision.

Analysis

Rahm's exit removes one of LIV's two biggest names, alongside Bryson DeChambeau, according to The Guardian and ESPN, as the league seeks to rebuild under new financing. The reports do not say which players BC Partners requires, so it is unclear whether his departure affects the $300m deal. The terms of any separation, including whether Rahm recovers amounts owed, remain unknown. His next steps are also uncertain. ESPN says his 2027 schedule is unclear. The Guardian reports that a PGA Tour return would involve a one-year suspension. Several outcomes remain possible, and much may depend on the court process and the 25 October commitment deadline.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.