Jon Rahm’s departure to LIV in 2023 shocked the golfing world.
Not only was the two-time major winner fresh off the back of winning The Masters, but he had been so outspoken in his defence of the PGA Tour that joining LIV was a U-turn of colossal proportions. “I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf,” said Rahm in August 2023. Three months later, he joined them.
Fast forward two years, and the PGA Tour is thriving in comparison to LIV. Some of their biggest names, such as Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, see their contracts expire in 2026, and speculation is rife about which LIV stars may try to rejoin the PGA Tour.
We also don’t know the extent of the punishment the tour will dish out to those who jumped ship for LIV. Hudson Swafford was given a one-year suspension when he tried to come back, but whether that will be consistent with every player is yet to be seen.
Before he left, Rahm gave his opinion on what should happen to players attempting to rejoin the PGA Tour from LIV.
Jon Rahm says if returning PGA Tour players should be punished
Rahm won the LIV Golf individual title last season, but he was still winless in 2025. He was once a favorite in any major championship he entered before his move to LIV, but he didn’t find himself in contention much this year.
The Spaniard could be regretting his move to LIV. Iron sharpens iron, and judging by the performances of individuals last season, the best golfers on the planet remain on the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, Rahm battled with Joaquin Niemann for the LIV title.
Rahm could be eyeing a move back to the PGA Tour in the future. If he does, then he may regret giving them this advice back in 2023.
He said, “I can understand people on the PGA Tour not wanting [LIV players] back. I can also understand why some of them want to come back. There are some great events that a lot of people probably want to play again, some great golf courses as well.
“I do believe some punishment should be in order but I don’t know what – I’m not a politician. That’s not my job. That’s for the disciplinary board and other people who are paid to do that. My job is to hit the golf ball and try to do the best I can.”
At least Rahm left the door open for the severity of the punishment he could receive if he did decide to come back, but his comments have somewhat boxed him in. If there is a wave of players attempting to rejoin the PGA Tour, Rahm hasn’t made it easy for them.
Jon Rahm denied that moving to LIV had made him worse at major championships
Rahm had two top-10 finishes at major championships this year, but he only sneaked into the top 10 at the US Open because the weather turned after his round.
Before that, his only top 10 at a major since moving to LIV was at the 2024 Open Championship, but he denied that there is any correlation to be found.
Speaking at the 2025 PGA Championship, Rahm said, “Me going to LIV and playing worse in Majors had nothing to do with where I was playing golf.
“My swing was simply not at the level it had to be for me to compete. It’s easier to post a score on non-Major championship courses and venues, and I think when you get to the biggest stages like this one and these courses, those flaws are going to get exposed, and it did.
“There’s been weeks where I was able to play better, like The Open last year. The Masters obviously wasn’t a good start, but it got better as the week went on, and I’m still working and trying to get my swing to a better spot.
“But I would say even 2023, after winning the Masters, I did not play good at all until the Ryder Cup, right. So I think the problems began earlier than people think.”
Despite his form at majors, he was the top dog on the LIV Tour, winning both the individual and team championships. But Rahm needs to win next season to show he can still deliver his brilliant best while away from the PGA Tour.
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