LIV Golf faces a concerning future with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) appearing to pull funding for the breakaway rebel golf league at the end of the 2026 season.
The PIF is not mentioned in a statement from LIV Golf, which confirmed new board appointments and a switch from a “foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model,” likely signalling an intent to limp on and establish a 2027 season, though its best players could soon search for a route back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabia’s PIF and the figurehead of LIV Golf since it was founded in 2022, is also poised to confirm his exit, having overseen an unprecedented investment of around $5bn across four years, including nine-figure signing bonuses and $30m in prize money at each event.
Star players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Ryder Cup stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton could explore opportunities to rejoin the PGA Tour, but each situation is complicated. Just in January, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined a returning member programme, in line with Brooks Koepka’s move to leave LIV Golf, while Patrick Reed was another to begin the process this year – serving a mandatory one-year suspension since his last LIV Golf appearance, before being able to tee it up on the PGA Tour again in Autumn.
At the time, Rolapp mentioned that “this is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations,” which could hurt the chances of others to secure a swift return in 2027 and beyond. Here’s how the future looks for some of LIV Golf’s star players:
Would the PGA Tour welcome back LIV Golf players?
In short, yes, but it is complicated by their stance in January, which outlined a desire to only add four players: Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. They were the only four players meeting the criteria to return, which stated that they must have won a major or The Players Championship since 2022 and have been away from the Tour for at least two years.
It is unlikely that the same offer will be on the table now for Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith, who has been struggling for form in recent years. That said, Rolapp has been reshaping the Tour since joining as CEO in June last year, and will be aware of the commercial value of the Tour improving with the addition of Rahm and DeChambeau, whose controversial decision to pursue an antitrust suit against the Tour after the initial split may cause waves of unrest among existing players should a satisfactory punishment not be emerge.
How can LIV Golf players return to the PGA Tour?
Just like in January, with the returning member programme, a route back to the PGA Tour will exist, in some capacity, though the conditions are likely to be much more restrictive that those experienced by Koepka.
There is an alternative route, which Patrick Reed has taken, a one-year ban dating to his last LIV appearance, but that is also not guaranteed.
Alternatively, players could switch to the DP World Tour, provided they do not have any outstanding fines and remain in the appeal process, like Rahm. The top 10 in the Race to Dubai Rankings at the end of the season will earn a PGA Tour card for the subsequent season, which could appeal to many, particularly those from Europe or with prior DP World Tour experience.
There could be further complications due to the aforementioned antitrust suit against the PGA Tour, with 11 players, including DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Talor Gooch and Ian Poulter, facing a more problematic future as a result.
Bryson DeChambeau
The most valuable LIV Golf player, without question, and one of the only players to buy into the product and thrive as a result, with his social media presence and YouTube channel exploding alongside his switch in 2022.
The issue is DeChambeau, the Crushers GC captain, is aware that without him, LIV Golf would struggle to exist, and the price to extend will be exorbitant, having previously signed a reported nine-figure signing bonus. Now, the 32-year-old will be eyeing up another, in the region of, or in excess of Rahm’s reported $300m signing bonus at the end of 2023. Without PIF, though, that number is presumably off the table, leaving DeChambeau as one of the few players the PGA Tour would covet and potentially adapt to welcome back.
“As long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense,” the Californian said this year. He snubbed the returning member programme in January, and has even hinted that he could make the unprecedented move to play YouTube golf in quirky matches against celebrities and influencers between the major championships, for which he has various exemptions. The 2024 US Open champion has a 10-year exemption into the US Open itself, alongside a five-year exemptions for the Masters, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, meaning four more years at least of major championships across the board, even without LIV. Currently ranked 28th in the OWGR rankings, after a T5, T2, T10 and a cut across last year’s majors, DeChambeau could retain a top 50 ranking, too, which would open more doors without a PGA Tour return.
Jon Rahm
Rahm’s position is more complicated, with his simmering feud with the DP World Tour likely to cause him a headache should LIV Golf fizzle out at the end of 2026. Rahm’s eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor is in doubt as a result, and he could be without a major tour in 2027 as things stand.
Accusing the DP World Tour of “extorting players,” Rahm refused join eight LIV Golf rebels, including Europe teammate Hatton, to settle with the DP World Tour following breaches of tour regulations. The Spaniard still owes fines in the region of £2m and has pushed back on the request to play at least six DP World Tour events, rather than the usual minimum requirement of four to retain membership rights.
The 2023 Masters champion has a lifetime exemption at Augusta National, while also holding a five-year exemption for the other three major championships (PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open). Rahm has some time, in that regard, with three more major seasons, and his world ranking is now up to 20th following a deal cut between LIV Golf and the OWGR to better compensate their players. But that regular competition after 2026 will be a concern, not to mention his place on Luke Donald’s team in Ireland.
Should LIV Golf fail to produce a 2027 season though, Rahm would be out of practice between the majors and be forced to search for competition beyond the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, perhaps the Asian Tour could profit from Rahm’s predicament?
Tyrrell Hatton
Perhaps the next most important player on LIV Golf after Rahm for Europe’s captain Donald, though he will not need to worry too much about Hatton’s eligibility.
Hatton is one of the few to thrive since switching, winning twice on the DP World Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for a third time in 2024 and then again at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic last year.
Knuckling down to maximise his playing opportunities on the DP World Tour looks to be the goal moving forward, which would catapult his way back towards a top 10 finish in the Race to Dubai Rankings. Currently 28th, with just two official sanctioned tournaments played, the fiery Englishman could easily move into the top 10 with his major championship performances and the most prestigious DP World Tour events later in the calendar, having settled his fines.
Tied third at Augusta this year, with a competitive record in the majors since joining LIV, Hatton will almost certainly be back on the PGA Tour in 2027, should he wish to return.
Cam Smith
Devoid of form and confidence, the 2022 Open champion either cashed in at the perfect time, or his switch to LIV Golf may have directly scuppered a potentially legendary run. Since outgunning Rory McIlroy at St Andrews in 2022, the Australian has three top 10 finishes in 13 major championships and is currently on a horrific run of six consecutive cuts.
He was the other player eligible to rejoin the PGA Tour as part of its returning member programme, though he has remained loyal to LIV Golf and Australia, in general, admitting the extra time at home and the yearly tournament in Adelaide was a huge part of his decision to make the original switch. The majestic style to his game is missed, however, and he has tumbled down to 232rd in the OWGR rankings. Though he is exempt in The Open until he is 60 years of age, his exemptions into The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open will expire at the end of 2027, meaning Smith’s clock is ticking.