It is probably not an overstatement to suggest that the future of LIV Golf as a relevant tour largely hinges on keeping Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
LIV Golf finds itself in a precarious position following the departures of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. Their exits showed that the grass is not necessarily greener in the eyes of every player who left the PGA Tour.
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Brooks Koepka has left, while they have signed the likes of Laurie Canter and Thomas Detry so far
LIV has managed to hold onto Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau for the 2026 season. However, the questions over their long-term futures will continue.
DeChambeau has been more public about some of his concerns since Koepka’s departure. In fact, he questioned one decision LIV Golf has now made.
Jon Rahm has a different view on LIV Golf change
Speaking ahead of the 2026 season, DeChambeau expressed his discontent over LIV switching to 72-hole events. He suggested that it was not what he signed up for.
The good news for LIV is that Rahm sees the situation differently, as he told the media ahead of the first event of the new season.
“I’m happy about it. I would say I was one of the people that pushed for it. So obviously I’m happy about it,” he said.
“I think the more golf we play, the better for stronger teams and stronger players, and I think it will benefit us four individuals and as a team, as well.”
Rahm reacts to reports concerning DP World Tour fines
There is also a question mark hanging over Rahm’s Ryder Cup future. He has collected a number of fines from the DP World Tour since deciding to join LIV in 2023.
Rahm has no intention to pay the fines. And LIV decided to stop covering the penalties for their players from the end of 2025. So something will have to give if the Spaniard is going to be eligible for Adare Manor.
It does appear that may soon happen. Reports recently suggested that the DP World Tour are planning to stop issuing fines to LIV players.
And Rahm was asked about those reports.
“I personally would say I don’t know too much about the matter. Obviously I think at first, managers are going to be taking care of that early on. I don’t know what the negotiations look like. Obviously they’re going to players individually to make different deals,” he said.
“I don’t know what it may be or what it’s going to look like, but I’m happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalized.
“I think the example of players like Tom [McKibbin] or David Puig, who’s now a winner on the European Tour, who just chose the best path possible as young players, shouldn’t be penalized because of the politics of the game.
“The fact that they’re looking at a positive way to figure it out, I think it’s only good for us, and I think it’s good for the DP World Tour, as well.”
With both the Returning Members Program being launched and doubts over his Ryder Cup future, Rahm has had plenty of reason to walk away from LIV in recent months.
LIV should see it as a big win that he is seemingly going nowhere.
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