Jon Rahm, long cast as the face of LIV Golf, is leaving the circuit after agreeing to forgo remaining guaranteed compensation widely reported at more than $100 million.
According to Golf Channel, CBS Sports, and other outlets, Rahm and LIV filed a separation agreement on Oct. 14 (local time) in LIV’s Chapter 11 case pending in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey. Court papers describe the pact as a “complete economic walk-away.”
Under the deal, Rahm drops every monetary claim against LIV—fees, bonuses, prize money, and annual payments. When LIV sought bankruptcy protection on Sept. 8, it owed him about $7.5 million, making him the league’s largest unsecured creditor. Reuters has reported that the future guarantees he is relinquishing exceed $100 million.
In return, Rahm regains control of his name, image, and likeness (NIL). He also takes back the trademarks for his nickname “RAHMBO” and for Legion XIII, the LIV team he captained. Golf Channel, which reviewed the agreement, says it states that Rahm no longer owes LIV any contractual service or performance obligations and may sign with any tour, league, or sponsor without notice to—or consent from—LIV.
From PGA exit to LIV’s collapse
Rahm, who won the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters, stunned the golf world in December 2023 by leaving the PGA Tour for a LIV contract reported at more than $300 million. Over three LIV seasons he won four individual events and claimed the individual season title each year; Reuters put his prize money and bonuses alone at more than $106 million. In majors over that stretch, his best finish was a runner-up at this year’s PGA Championship.
LIV itself slid toward insolvency after Saudi backers signaled this spring that they would stop funding the league. Investment firm BC Partners Credit has been reported as ready to put $300 million into a so-called “LIV 2.0” once the bankruptcy process ends. At a hearing on Oct. 7, Rahm’s attorney John Beck said Rahm had independently reviewed LIV 2.0’s proposed terms, found them unacceptable, and would not take part going forward.
What comes next
The agreement takes effect only if Judge Michael B. Kaplan approves it on Nov. 5. The PGA Tour has said it will not start return talks until it is clear that Rahm has no remaining contractual obligations to LIV. Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has said he will not reopen the “returning member program” that previously helped Brooks Koepka come back. Golf Channel has suggested that if the Tour does not revive a modified version of that pathway, Rahm’s likeliest route is to play the DP World Tour in 2027, serve a one-year penalty period, and return in 2028.
Rahm’s immediate schedule is clearer: he makes his comeback at the Abu Dhabi Championship (Nov. 5–8 at Yas Links), the first event of the DP World Tour playoffs, which opens the same day as the court hearing. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about Yas Links,” Rahm said. “Looking forward to starting in Abu Dhabi and heading to Dubai the following week.” Other LIV players have until Oct. 25 to decide whether to stay with LIV 2.0.
Originally published in Korean by Newsroboda (이진혁). English adaptation for Feature Digest.
Sources
- Golf Channel — Jon Rahm legally separates from LIV
- CBS Sports — Jon Rahm exits LIV Golf
- CBS Sports — What’s next for Rahm
- Golf Digest — Rahm–LIV exit agreement
- Sportstar / The Hindu — Separation settlement
- Yahoo Sports — Abu Dhabi debut
- Front Office Sports (X) — reporting on the filing
Image credits
- Featured: Jon Rahm Ryder Cup 2025-213.jpg — Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized only)
- Inline: Jon Rahm Ryder Cup 2025-031.jpg — Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized only)
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