Jon Rahm is completing his third LIV Golf season since joining the league for 2024, but questions about his future beyond 2026 have intensified. Reuters reported on August 13, citing The Telegraph, that league sources were “almost resigned” to Rahm leaving after the current season.
Golf Digest subsequently reported that claims of an already completed deal for Rahm to return to the PGA Tour in 2027 were premature and that he remains under contract with LIV Golf.
A PGA Tour return would create more opportunities for Rahm to compete against Scottie Scheffler, who has publicly said that he misses facing the Spaniard and described competing against him as one of the great joys of his career.
Reports of a Rahm PGA Tour deal remain unconfirmed
Reports circulating this week claimed Rahm had agreed to terms for a PGA Tour return in 2027, with restrictions resembling some of those imposed when Brooks Koepka returned earlier this year.
Golf Digest reported that the speculation was premature and that Rahm remains under contract with LIV Golf. The claims of a $25 million charitable payment and restrictions on sponsor exemptions originated with the Tee Times account on X. Neither Rahm nor the PGA Tour has announced those terms.
Koepka returned to the PGA Tour in January 2026 through the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program. His arrangement included a $5 million charitable contribution, restrictions on access to Signature Events, and significant limits on his eligibility for Tour-related financial benefits.
Rahm’s LIV future remains unresolved
A social-media report has linked a possible PGA Tour return to a $25 million charitable payment and restrictions on Rahm’s access to Signature Events. Golf Digest reported that talk of an already completed agreement was premature, and neither Rahm nor the PGA Tour has announced those terms.
Rahm said in May that he still had several years remaining on his LIV Golf contract and saw few obvious ways to leave the agreement early, making his contractual situation a central factor in any potential move.
Rahm joined LIV Golf for the 2024 season after winning 4 times on the PGA Tour in 2023, including the Masters. In 2026, he won LIV Golf Hong Kong and LIV Golf Mexico City before securing his third consecutive LIV Golf Individual Championship.
A Rahm return would revive a familiar rivalry
Rahm’s move to LIV Golf reduced the number of regular PGA Tour events in which he and Scheffler competed against each other, although the two have continued to meet in major championships and other events for which both are eligible.
Scheffler has said that he misses competing against Rahm, calling the Spaniard a tremendous player and recalling their previous battles with appreciation.
One of their most memorable head-to-head meetings came at the 2021 Ryder Cup, when Scheffler defeated then-world No. 1 Rahm 4 and 3 in Sunday singles. Two years later, Scheffler presented Rahm with the Green Jacket after Rahm won the 2023 Masters. A PGA Tour return for Rahm would give the pair more opportunities to compete in the same events.
Rahm remains one of golf’s elite players
Before joining LIV Golf, Rahm had reached world No. 1 and won 2 major championships: the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2023 Masters. He has spent 52 weeks at No. 1 and recorded 11 PGA Tour victories.
Rahm has also enjoyed significant success on LIV Golf, winning 4 individual tournaments and capturing the season-long Individual Championship in each of his first 3 seasons.
His recent major results have been mixed. Rahm finished T38 at the 2026 Masters before rebounding with a T2 finish at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink, where Aaron Rai won by 3 shots.
Rahm’s potential departure would add to LIV uncertainty
Rahm has become one of LIV Golf’s leading players, winning 4 individual events and 3 consecutive season-long championships. His departure would remove one of the league’s most accomplished current competitors while other major champions, including Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, remain part of LIV.
The league is already navigating major changes. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is ending its financial backing after 2026, LIV canceled its planned Michigan Team Championship, and the league says it has secured a new lead investor to support its next phase.
The professional golf landscape is also changing around LIV. The Asian Tour announced a multiyear partnership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour that will include co-sanctioned tournaments beginning in 2027.
Fun fact: Rahm became the first 2-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award, earning it in 2015 and 2016.
World-ranking points have boosted Rahm’s position
LIV Golf began receiving Official World Golf Ranking points in 2026, with points awarded to the top 10 finishers and ties in its individual stroke-play events. Rahm was among the players who criticized the limited distribution of those points.
Rahm entered LIV Golf Riyadh at world No. 97 and climbed to No. 67 after finishing runner-up. Continued strong results eventually returned him to the world’s top 10.
As of August 16, 2026, Rahm is world No. 15, a significant recovery from where he began the LIV season.
A return could revive the Rahm-Scheffler rivalry
Rahm and Scheffler have produced several memorable head-to-head moments, particularly in PGA Tour competition, major championships and the Ryder Cup. Rahm’s move to LIV Golf reduced how often the two appear in the same regular-season events.
Scheffler has said he misses competing against Rahm, calling him a tremendous player and speaking fondly of their previous battles.
If Rahm eventually returns to the PGA Tour, the two could meet considerably more often during the regular season, adding another established rivalry to the Tour schedule.
Rahm’s decision could become a major turning point
Rahm’s future is attracting attention at a time when LIV Golf is undergoing major changes and Brooks Koepka has already returned to the PGA Tour.
Rahm was eligible for the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program earlier in 2026 but did not take that pathway. Koepka used the program to return, while Rahm continued competing with LIV Golf.
The possibility of a broader PGA Tour-LIV reconciliation also appears remote. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said in August that there was no merger and no active conversations with LIV Golf, leaving individual player decisions, such as Rahm’s, as a separate issue.
Little-known fact: Rahm has cited the TV show Ted Lasso as inspiration for bouncing back quickly after tough finishes.
TL;DR
- Reports have suggested that Jon Rahm may leave LIV Golf after the 2026 season, but no return to the PGA Tour has been announced.
- A social media report claimed that a potential return could involve a $25 million charitable payment and restrictions on access to Signature Events.
- Golf Digest reported that talk of an already completed PGA Tour agreement was premature and that Rahm remains under the LIV Golf contract.
- Rahm said earlier this year that he still had several years remaining on his LIV agreement.
- Scottie Scheffler has publicly said that he misses competing against Rahm.
- A future PGA Tour return would give Rahm and Scheffler more opportunities to compete against each other during the regular season.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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