While LIV Golf’s collapse wasn’t immediate, it seems that at the end of 2026 the Saudi-backed league will be no more.
That’s because the Saudis are no longer backing it. Their Public Investment Fund appear to have realized that the tour isn’t worth the hole it’s burning in their pockets, and are prioritizing other investments.
So where does that leave the players? Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed saw the writing on the wall and bailed early, but superstars like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau may not have the same option.
Koepka was offered a deal by the PGA Tour, allowing his return as long as he pays $5 million to charity and accepts that he isn’t eligible for FedEx Cup bonus money this year. The same one-time-only deal was offered to Rahm and DeChambeau, but neither accepted it.
After this news broke, all LIV players teed off in Mexico City. Business as usual was the consensus. But this was a big mistake from those seeking a PGA Tour return if LIV is finished by the end of the year.
LIV Golfers need to leave the tour immediately
PGA Tour rules state that players are suspended from the tour for a year, dating back to their most recent start in LIV Golf. That’s why Reed is playing a year on the DP World Tour before coming back.
That means any LIV players hoping to return to the tour need to leave as soon as possible, and they have already lost a golden opportunity.
The last LIV event before The Masters was in South Africa in late March, so when the news of LIV’s impending demise was announced, the players had a chance to leave immediately. That was, they could return to the PGA Tour as early as March, and get some events in before Augusta.
Which player is the biggest loser if LIV Golf is shut down?
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Now, they must wait until at least mid-April, and the suspension will only be extended after the players play more LIV events.
So, unless players are comfortable holding off on their PGA Tour return and sacrificing crucial OWGR points in the process, they should leave sooner rather than later.
Why suspension doesn’t apply to Jon Rahm or Bryson DeChambeau
This might apply to the vast majority of players on LIV, but for the very biggest stars, they likely won’t have to worry about that. The PGA Tour proved it is willing to make exceptions to get the biggest names back on tour.
It will be difficult for Rahm and DeChambeau to get the same deal as Koepka. He had far more leverage back in January than any LIV player has currently. But if the LIV stars are willing to come to a deal, they will more than likely find one.
What legacy will LIV Golf leave behind?
Still, it’s best for their PGA Tour return if they do so now. The closer the clock ticks down to the end of the tour, the weaker their position may be. But with hundreds of millions on the line for the rest of the season, from their contracts and potential winnings, they’ll probably see it out.
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