Rahm to leave LIV Golf over 'unacceptable' terms

Jon Rahm intends to depart LIV Golf after labeling the proposed terms for LIV 2.0 "unacceptable," his counsel John Beck told a bankruptcy tribunal hearing. Beck stated that Rahm "independently reviewed the presumption of LIV 2.0 and determined those presumption are unacceptable arsenic to him." He added that LIV and Rahm's representatives are engaged in "in precocious discussions for a consensual separation statement betwixt Mr Rahm and LIV," with hopes of finalizing the arrangement by a tribunal proceeding on 5 November. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after Saudi Arabia withdrew its multibillion‑dollar funding and has since secured a potential $300 million financing package from BC Partners Credit aimed at enabling the 2027 season. The league’s players are owed at least $45 million (£33 million) and retain the option to leave, while the current agreement grants LIV a pause to negotiate terms with its athletes, with talks scheduled to remain open until 25 October. Documents outlining the 30 largest unsecured claims show Rahm at the top with an unsecured assertion of $7.5 million (£5.5 million). BBC Sport understands there is no obligation for players to join LIV 2.0 regardless of any existing multi‑year contracts. Rahm, Spain’s most prominent LIV signee, left the PGA Tour in December 2023 for a deal reportedly worth £222 million ($300 million). Some players, including Brooks Koepka, have returned to the PGA Tour after it revised its rules in December to permit the five‑time major champion to re‑enter, subject to certain sanctions. Rahm did not follow suit and remained under a long‑term agreement with LIV, but in May he reached an arrangement with the DP World Tour—formerly the European Tour—to preserve his membership and stay eligible for the next Ryder Cup. In August, the former world No. 1 claimed his third consecutive LIV event title. Rahm has previously said he has no regrets about joining LIV and has backed organizers in their effort to make the league sustainable.