The DP World Tour appears to be throwing a lifeline to those golfers getting out of their LIV contracts.
In a story published by Today's Golfer, "several LIV Golf players are in advanced talks over an exit plan" from LIV in deals that would promise playing opportunities on the European circuit.
Jon Rahm is the most recent LIV golfer to declare that he's done with the league. Rahm's lawyer, John Beck, who spoke on his client's behalf in a LIV bankruptcy hearing Wednesday, said his client “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.”
This came two days after LIV announced a restructuring agreement with BC Partners. LIV CEO Scott
O'Neal said this was proof that he was "delivering" on major milestones and marked "meaningful progress" toward "a new player-owned, team-focused, truly global league."
But the Today's Golfer story paints a much more dire picture for the future of LIV, which appears to be about to lose many of its players. There is a looming Oct. 25 deadline for LIV golfers to re-up. The report states that the DP World Tour agreement has a clause that requires golfers to "reject the new terms proposed for LIV 2.0."
There are some LIV golfers with DP World Tour exemptions, so this next phase of negotiations is without DPWT membership and essentially nowhere else to go play professional golf.
The TG report also says that while returning LIV golfers would be allowed into multiple events in 2027, they will not be permitted to play the Rolex Series tournaments, which are the five marquee events, for now.
Today's Golfer quoted a DPWT representative who said interest among the future former LIV golfers is high.
"Given the high volume of inbound interest and inquiries we have received in recent weeks, we are exploring the terms on which we are willing to accommodate players provided they are free from third-party contractual restrictions and are willing to abide by our membership regulations."
The PGA Tour has a rule in place for those who played on LIV that they face a one-year suspension from the date of their last competitive round on LIV before they can seek any form of return.
Todd Kelly is the assistant managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Report: DP World Tour in advanced talks to bring LIV golfers back
