Jon Rahm will not play in LIV Golf’s relaunched league after his lawyer told a bankruptcy court hearing the Spaniard had found the proposed terms for LIV 2.0 unacceptable.
Rahm’s attorney, John Beck, told a hearing in LIV Golf’s Chapter 11 case in the US Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey on Wednesday 7 October (US time) that 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”, ESPN reported.
Beck also said the two sides are “in advanced discussions for a consensual separation agreement between Mr Rahm and LIV”, BBC Sport reported. ESPN and Golf Channel reported the aim is to finalise that agreement by 15 October, while BBC Sport said it is hoped the deal will be completed by a court hearing on 5 November. Rahm’s contract had already been adjourned to that 5 November hearing.
“If the parties, for whatever reason, are unable to reach a consensual separation agreement, Mr. Rahm intends to press his objection,” Beck said, AFP reported from courtroom audio.
What LIV 2.0 looks like
Reports did not detail which parts of the offer Rahm rejected. Golf Channel reported LIV 2.0 will have a smaller schedule and purses but give players a 52.5 per cent equity share in the league, which BC Partners Credit has agreed to back with up to US$300 million. Current LIV players have until 25 October to commit, ESPN and BBC Sport reported.
Money owed and Jon Rahm’s next move
Court records list Rahm’s US$7.5 million in past-due payments as the largest unsecured claim against LIV, ESPN and BBC Sport reported. ESPN said he is believed to be owed more than US$100 million in total, having joined LIV in December 2023 on a deal reportedly worth more than US$300 million.
The 31-year-old remains a DP World Tour member, while ESPN reported PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said in September the Tour had no plans to revive its Returning Member Program. Rahm has withdrawn from this week’s Spanish Open, with his wife Kelley expecting their fourth child. Representatives for Rahm and LIV Golf did not respond to AFP requests for comment.
Cameron Smith among players seeking clarity
BBC Sport reported lawyers for other players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Australian Cameron Smith, sought clarity on whether the rejection of their contracts amounted to termination. That has been pushed back to a hearing on 14 October.
The Guardian reported Rahm’s exit is “likely to be only the start of a mass exodus from the breakaway circuit”, with players including Tyrrell Hatton, Smith and Joaquin Niemann expected to follow when legalities permit.
More News
