Rahm rejects LIV 2.0 terms as lawyers work toward a separation agreement

Jon Rahm will not take part in the proposed next version of LIV Golf, his attorney told the league’s bankruptcy court on Wednesday. The decision follows Rahm’s review of the proposed terms for LIV 2.0 and leaves the parties working on how to end his existing agreement.

The Athletic’s Gabby Herzig reported the announcement while the hearing was underway. Front Office Sports and Field Level Media separately reported the remarks by John Beck, Rahm’s lawyer, and the continuing separation discussions.

Beck said the proposed terms were unacceptable to Rahm. Field Level Media reported that the sides aim to finalize a separation agreement by October 15. The lawyer also identified a November 5 court date for addressing the contract dispute if an agreement is not reached.

Front Office Sports reported that Judge Michael Kaplan approved LIV’s request to reject existing player contracts while excluding Rahm’s agreement. That distinction matters: Rahm’s decision about the new league does not itself settle the obligations under the contract he already signed.

The proposed competition is part of LIV’s effort to emerge from Chapter 11. Field Level Media dates the filing to September 8 and reports that the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew the financing that had supported the league. LIV’s restructuring support agreement with BC Partners is intended to provide a path for a team-focused circuit to continue.

Front Office Sports reported that an amended agreement includes an initial $4 million loan to assist the bankruptcy process, alongside plans for $300 million in new financing. It also reported that the deadline for a sufficient number of players to agree to new contracts moved to October 25. Those are restructuring steps, rather than proof that the next season is secured.

Rahm’s departure removes the winner of LIV’s individual title in each of his three seasons from the proposed lineup. Field Level Media reports that he won in Hong Kong and Mexico City this year and had four runner-up finishes. His sporting value and his outstanding contract make the separation consequential to the league’s rebuilding effort.

His next schedule remains a separate question. Neither the saved report nor the court announcement establishes an immediate PGA Tour return. Field Level Media expects him to play the DP World Tour’s season-ending events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai; he withdrew from the Spanish Open while awaiting the birth of his fourth child.

The immediate milestones are the separation talks and the next court hearing. Until those produce an agreement or order, the supported development is Rahm’s refusal to join LIV 2.0, with the terms of his exit still being worked out.