Former World Number One Jon Rahm Exits LIV Golf Over Unacceptable Terms Amid Bankruptcy Proceedings

Former world number one Jon Rahm has announced his departure from LIV Golf, dealing a significant blow to the breakaway circuit as it navigates bankruptcy proceedings.

During a bankruptcy hearing on Wednesday, John Beck, the lawyer representing Jon Rahm, stated that the two-time major champion decided to leave after reviewing the proposed terms of the league's upcoming phase, known as LIV 2.0.

“Mr Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0, as the parties have been referring to it, and has determined that those terms are unacceptable as to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0,” John Beck informed the court.

Amid unpaid contracts, several other golfers requested a US bankruptcy judge to help terminate their agreements and clarify their freedom to negotiate with other tournament organisers and sponsors. LIV Golf has already agreed to terminate Sergio Garcia's contract after concluding the league would not honour its terms. Meanwhile, lawyers representing Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, An Byeong-hun, Marc Leishman, Cameron Tringale, and Matthew Wolff petitioned the judge to release those players from their existing agreements, though termination would not prevent them from participating in LIV 2.0 later.

Jon Rahm joined the circuit in late 2023—eight months after securing his second major title at the Masters—and has claimed three consecutive season-long individual titles on LIV Golf. When LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 protection in New Jersey last month, court documents identified multiple star golfers as creditors owed millions in unsecured claims, with Jon Rahm holding the largest player claim at $7.5m.

Earlier this week, LIV Golf secured up to $300m in funding from BC Partners, through BC Partners Credit, to support restructuring and financial strengthening ahead of the 2027 season. The financing remains subject to bankruptcy court approval and is intended to back the next phase of LIV Golf, which aims to transition players into equity owners of the league and its teams.