Jon Rahm finally offered some clarity on his future, and he's dealt a major blow to LIV Golf.
Rahm's attorney announced the golfer will not be part of LIV Golf 2.0 during a hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, Oct. 7, according to multiple reports.
“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's attorney said during the court proceedings.
Rahm, a 2-time major winner, was a 3-time individual champion with LIV Golf. His stunning defection from the PGA Tour in December 2023 further separated golf's best players and reignited
tensions between the two tours. Court records show the 31-year-old Spaniard holds the largest individual claim against LIV Golf among creditors involved in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
Rahm's attorney indicated his client is in "advanced" discussions with LIV Golf on a separation agreement ahead of a Nov. 5 deadline set in recent court filings for the bankruptcy case.
Rahm's decision is particularly significant because LIV Golf's restructuring plan hinges on convincing players to take ownership stakes in LIV Golf 2.0. Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were LIV Golf's two biggest draws and their largest creditors, and Rahm's refusal to participate will fuel more doubt as to whether enough relevant golfers will embrace this proposed model over the next few weeks.
Will Jon Rahm return to the PGA Tour?
He can ... eventually. The bigger question is how long it could take.
Rahm has previously said he had "several years" remaining on the reported $350 million contract he initially signed with LIV Golf. His path back to the PGA Tour remains unclear. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said last month the tour is not considering another returning member program like the one used by Brooks Koepka to return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf before last season.
This means the route that 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed took this season, which included a one-year suspension from entering PGA Tour events, offers the most likely blueprint for Rahm. Reed became eligible to return as a non-member last month and played his way toward stronger PGA Tour status in 2027 through his play on the DP World Tour this year.
Based on Rolapp's comments, Rahm will have a viable path to seek reinstatement with the PGA Tour if he's no longer under contract with LIV Golf. But he'll have to do it through the DP World Tour and 2028 might be the earliest he's back as a full-time member of the PGA Tour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jon Rahm rejects LIV Golf 2.0 in bombshell bankruptcy court revelation
