LIV Golf frees DeChambeau and 18 others as Jon Rahm reaches exit deal

Nineteen players released

LIV Golf, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey on Sept. 8, won approval on Wednesday, Oct. 14, to reject the current contracts of 19 golfers. LIV told the court the deals do not fit the pay structure of its planned "LIV Golf 2.0," and the rejection leaves those players free to sign elsewhere, USA Today and ESPN reported. ^{[1] [2] [7]}

The 19 are Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Thomas Detry, Michael La Sasso, Harold Varner III, Lucas Herbert, Caleb Surratt, Marc Leishman, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Laurie Canter, Bubba Watson, Ben An, Anirban Lahiri, Victor Perez, Cameron Tringale, Sam Horsfield and Brendan Steele. Court documents did not say what LIV would have owed each player, according to USA Today. DeChambeau has not said publicly what he plans to do. ^{[1] [4]}

Restructuring deal and a deadline

Judge Michael B. Kaplan also approved LIV's amended restructuring support agreement with investment firm BC Partners. ESPN reported the arrangement provides up to $300 million in financing, starting with a $4 million loan to keep LIV operating during the bankruptcy. USA Today noted that only the $4 million is committed so far. ^{[2] [1] [6]}

LIV attorney Robert Fitzgerald told the court the league would know "by the end of the month" whether it winds down or moves ahead with the new model. Players have until Oct. 25 to commit to LIV 2.0, a deadline BC Partners can waive, and the next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20, according to GOLF.com. ^{[2] [6] [1]}

Fitzgerald also objected to comments by DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings, who said the tour would not give conditional status to players who join LIV 2.0 in 2027. Fitzgerald called the timing "a clear attempt to interfere with our process with our players." Kaplan said the comments "do raise concerns," ESPN reported. ^{[2] [1]}

Rahm walks away

In a separate filing late Wednesday, Jon Rahm reached a separation agreement under which he owes "no further service or performance obligations under any contract," AP and Golf Channel reported. He can join any tour or league without LIV's consent, his name and likeness rights revert to him, and LIV transfers the "Rahmbo" and "Legion XIII" marks, though he cannot use the Legion XIII name in another league. ^{[4] [5] [3]}

Rahm receives no payment and releases his monetary claims. Court files showed LIV owed him $7.5 million when it filed, making him its largest unsecured creditor, and ESPN reported he was believed to be owed more than $100 million over the rest of his deal. A hearing to approve the agreement is set for Nov. 5. Rahm's attorney told the court on Oct. 7 that the LIV 2.0 terms were "unacceptable to him." ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Background

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, LIV's backer since its 2022 launch, announced in April that it would stop funding the league, according to Golf Digest. The bankruptcy has since become a contest over which players stay, which return to the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, and whether a slimmed-down LIV can operate in 2027. ^{[8] [4]}

Some European players face a further question: USA Today reported that DP World Tour members who join LIV 2.0 would be ineligible for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. Six-time DP World Tour winner Joost Luiten told GOLF.com that players hoping to return "made a decision to go after the money" and should earn their way back through qualifying school. ^{[1] [7]}