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Jon Rahm intends to leave LIV Golf after deciding the proposed terms for a restructured “LIV 2.0” are unacceptable, his lawyer told a US bankruptcy court. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are in advanced discussions over a consensual separation, with a court hearing on 5 November identified as a target for finalising it.
Jon Rahm intends to leave LIV Golf after deciding that the proposed terms for the league’s planned “LIV 2.0” are unacceptable to him, his lawyer told a US bankruptcy court hearing. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are now in advanced discussions about a consensual separation, which they hope to finalise by a 5 November hearing.
Rahm’s lawyer, John Beck, told the court that the 31-year-old Spaniard had independently reviewed the LIV 2.0 terms and found them unacceptable. The report did not set out the terms Rahm objected to or say that a separation agreement has been signed. The discussions are described as advanced, but remain ongoing.
The dispute comes as LIV seeks financing to continue after Saudi Arabia withdrew its multibillion-dollar funding. The league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September. It has secured a possible $300 million financing commitment from BC Partners Credit as it tries to move forward with a 2027 season. The Saudi Public Investment Fund is also providing a $49.6 million bankruptcy loan, known as debtor-in-possession financing, to help fund the process.
Court documents list Rahm as the league’s largest unsecured creditor among its 30 largest claims, with a claim of $7.5 million. LIV participants are owed at least $45 million and have an option to leave. The court agreement also gives the league more time to negotiate with players, with discussions open until 25 October. BBC Sport reports that players are not obliged to sign on to LIV 2.0, even if they previously had multiyear contracts.
Rahm’s Exit Tests LIV’s Player Plans
Rahm was one of LIV’s highest-profile signings when he left the PGA Tour in December 2023 in a deal reported to be worth $300 million. His planned departure would be a prominent test of whether the league can persuade its established names to join its proposed next phase while it reorganises its finances.
The outcome could also affect Rahm’s competitive options. He reached an agreement with the DP World Tour in May to retain membership and remain eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup. LIV players are automatically suspended from the PGA Tour for a year, while the DP World Tour provides a potential route toward PGA Tour membership for its leading players. Rahm’s specific plans after leaving LIV have not been announced.
Other players’ lawyers are also seeking clarity over whether their LIV contracts can be terminated or rejected and whether they may discuss future plans with other tours or sponsors. That makes the court proceedings relevant beyond Rahm: the league’s ability to retain players, and golfers’ ability to explore alternatives, remain unsettled.
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LIV’s Chapter 11 Restructuring
Chapter 11 gives a US company time to reorganise debts or sell parts of its business while its obligations to creditors are postponed. LIV’s proposed 2027 season depends on financing and on reaching new arrangements with players. BC Partners Credit’s head, Ted Goldthorpe, told BBC Sport he was confident the league could secure the required number and calibre of players by the new 25 October deadline.
Rahm joined LIV in December 2023 after leaving the PGA Tour. In August, he won his third consecutive LIV season title. He had previously said he did not regret joining and backed the organisers’ efforts to make the league sustainable. His current position on LIV 2.0, as relayed by his lawyer, is a change from those earlier public comments, but does not by itself specify what he will do next.
Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia received a separate arrangement during the court proceedings allowing his contract to be terminated and rejected. Lawyers for other players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, sought clarity on similar questions. LIV’s counsel said the league had not had an opportunity to review those players’ contracts, and that issue was pushed to a 14 October hearing.
““Independently reviewed the terms of LIV 2.0 and determined those terms are unacceptable as to him.””
— John Beck, Jon Rahm’s lawyer, speaking at the bankruptcy court hearing
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Separation Terms Remain Unsettled
No separation agreement has been reported as signed, and the financial or contractual terms of any agreement have not been made public. It is also unclear what Rahm’s next competitive move will be, whether he will seek opportunities on another tour, or how his plans relate to his Ryder Cup eligibility.
The court record described in the report does not establish the positions of other players on LIV 2.0. Their lawyers have asked whether contract rejection amounts to termination and whether players can approach rival tours and sponsors. LIV says it needs time to assess the contracts. The league has not disclosed how many players have agreed to its proposed future terms.
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Court Dates and Player Talks
LIV and Rahm’s representatives are aiming to complete a consensual separation by the 5 November hearing, though that is a target rather than a confirmed outcome. The league’s discussions with players are due to continue until 25 October, while the court is scheduled to revisit contract questions raised by other players’ lawyers on 14 October.
BC Partners says it will work on player recruitment alongside business and event planning and rehiring staff. The key developments to watch are whether Rahm and LIV sign a separation agreement, what terms the league offers players for LIV 2.0, and whether the financing and roster plans support the proposed 2027 season. No final roster or season plan is confirmed in the reported material.
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Key Questions
Has Jon Rahm officially left LIV Golf?
His lawyer told a bankruptcy court Rahm intends to leave after finding the proposed LIV 2.0 terms unacceptable. LIV and Rahm’s representatives are discussing a separation, but no signed agreement was reported.
Why does Rahm consider the LIV 2.0 terms unacceptable?
The specific terms and Rahm’s objections have not been made public in the report. His lawyer said Rahm reviewed the terms independently and found them unacceptable to him.
When could Rahm’s separation be finalised?
The parties reportedly hope to finalise an agreement by a court hearing on 5 November. That date is a target, not confirmation that an agreement will be reached.
Are LIV players required to join LIV 2.0?
BBC Sport reports that players have no obligation to sign on to LIV 2.0, even if they previously signed multiyear contracts with LIV Golf. Contract termination and players’ ability to discuss plans with other tours remain subjects of court questions.
What does LIV’s bankruptcy filing mean for the league?
Chapter 11 gives LIV time to reorganise debts or sell parts of its business. The league is pursuing financing and player agreements as it tries to proceed with a 2027 season, but its final roster and plans remain unsettled.
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