Jon Rahm has confirmed that his decision to leave LIV Golf stemmed from an unwillingness to support the path the breakaway series was taking with its proposed 'LIV 2.0' iteration. The 31-year-old Spaniard reached a separation agreement in October to exit the circuit, which had filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States in September following the withdrawal of backing by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in April.
Rahm explained that while he appreciated the initial concept of LIV 1.0, he was not thrilled with the changes being implemented for the second version of the league. He noted that the new direction lacked standout features and appeared to be moving away from the team golf model that originally defined the series, instead resembling a regular tournament. The golfer cited too many unknowns regarding the future of the organization as a primary factor in his decision to depart.
The Spanish major winner had joined LIV Golf in December 2023 under a reported £222m ($300m) deal after leaving the PGA Tour. Upon his exit, reports indicated he was owed approximately $100m (£75m) from the remainder of his contract. While the league has secured potential financing of $300m (£224m) to attempt a relaunch, Rahm chose not to continue with the restructured entity.
Regarding his future eligibility for the PGA Tour, Rahm acknowledged that some players like Brooks Koepka have returned under specific conditions, including charitable donations and sanctions. However, he noted that the PGA Tour's returning member program closed on February 2, leaving him under a long-term contract with LIV at that time. In May, Rahm secured a deal with the DP World Tour to retain his membership and remain eligible for next year's Ryder Cup.
Rahm stated that while he doubts he will receive the same return offer as Koepka, he would consider returning if offered similar penalties. He emphasized that even in a worst-case scenario involving a one-year suspension from the PGA Tour, he would be in a strong position to play on the DP World Tour for that duration.
Sources: BBC Sport.