Jon Rahm Won’t Play for LIV in 2027: What Happens Now

LIV Golf just lost the player who made it matter most. In bankruptcy court on Oct. 7, Jon Rahm’s lawyer said Rahm had reviewed the terms for the restructured “LIV 2.0” and found them unacceptable, and that he won’t take part in 2027. Rahm was LIV’s best player and its biggest creditor. Here’s what happened, where he can play next, and what it means for Bryson DeChambeau and the rest of the league.

What Happened in Court

LIV filed for Chapter 11 in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund ended its funding (full background here). The Oct. 7 hearing in New Jersey was the case’s second. LIV got permission to start rejecting certain existing contracts, including player agreements, but its lawyers couldn’t yet give players a firm answer on what comes next. That’s when Rahm’s attorney told the court his client was out.

The restructuring plan with BC Partners includes a $300 million investment, a shorter schedule, smaller purses and a 52.5% equity share for players. For Rahm, that wasn’t enough.

Date	What happens
Oct. 7	Rahm’s lawyer tells the bankruptcy court he won’t join LIV 2.0
Oct. 14	Case back in court; more clarity expected on player contracts
Oct. 15	Target date to finish Rahm’s separation agreement
Oct. 25	Extended deadline for players to commit to LIV’s 2027 plan (was Oct. 13)
Nov. 5	Court expected to take up Rahm’s separation agreement

What Rahm Is Leaving Behind

No one did better at LIV. Rahm won the last three individual season titles, including a runaway in 2026, and he is the only player to make more than $100 million in LIV prize money on top of his contract. His original deal at the end of 2023 was reported to be worth well over $300 million.

His major record tells the other side. Before LIV he won the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters. Since joining, he has made 11 major starts with four top-10s and no wins.

Where Can Rahm Play Next?

• The DP World Tour. He has a conditional release from earlier this year and is expected to play Abu Dhabi and Dubai in November to finish his 2026 obligations. He withdrew from last week’s Spanish Open for the birth of his fourth child.
• The Ryder Cup. His eligibility for Europe’s 2027 team at Adare Manor is intact.
• The majors. His past wins keep him in the biggest events: the Masters invites past champions for life.
• The PGA Tour. Not right now. The Returning Member Program that brought Brooks Koepka back closed Feb. 2, and PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has said the Tour isn’t considering another one.

LIV 2.0 can survive without a lot of things. It’s hard to see it surviving without both Rahm and DeChambeau.

What It Means for LIV and DeChambeau

Rahm isn’t the only one looking at the exit. Sergio Garcia has asked to have his contract terminated, and lawyers have reportedly agreed in principle. Cam Smith and Joaquín Niemann have publicly questioned their futures. Lawyers for DeChambeau, Smith, Ben An, Marc Leishman, Cameron Tringale, Matthew Wolff and Harold Varner III were all at the Oct. 7 hearing asking for clarity on their contracts.

DeChambeau is now the player LIV most needs to keep. He hasn’t said he’s leaving, and reporters cautioned against reading the hearing as a sign that he is. His decision before the Oct. 25 deadline is the next big domino.

What to Watch

• Oct. 14 hearing: whether players get a clear answer on their existing contracts.
• DeChambeau: any public commitment, or not, before Oct. 25.
• Rahm in the Middle East: Abu Dhabi (Nov. 5–8) and Dubai (Nov. 12–15), where he’d be playing alongside the Race to Dubai finish.
• The PGA Tour: whether pressure builds for a new path back for stars like Rahm.

Is Jon Rahm leaving LIV Golf?

Yes. His lawyer told the bankruptcy court on Oct. 7, 2026, that Rahm found the terms for LIV 2.0 unacceptable and won’t take part in 2027. He and LIV are negotiating a separation agreement.

Can Jon Rahm go back to the PGA Tour?

Not right now. The PGA Tour’s one-time Returning Member Program closed in February 2026, and the Tour has said it isn’t considering another one. He can still play the DP World Tour, the majors and the Ryder Cup.

When do LIV players have to commit to 2027?

The deadline was extended from Oct. 13 to Oct. 25, 2026.