Arizona‑based world No. 1 golfer Jon Rahm told reporters in Abu Dhabi that he would consider paying the same penalty that Brooks Koepka incurred when he left LIV Golf and re‑entered the PGA Tour. Rahm said he does not yet know whether the Tour will extend a comparable offer to him.
Unclear Path Back to the PGA Tour
Rahm, who recently competed in the final two weeks of the European Tour season in the United Arab Emirates, admitted, “I really don’t know what 2027 is going to look like for me.” He added that he has not yet spoken with PGA Tour officials about a possible route back for next season.
The PGA Tour has imposed a one‑year ban on former LIV players, a rule that applied to Rahm after his second‑place finish at LIV Golf Indianapolis on Aug. 23. While the Tour has shown flexibility in the past—most notably with Koepka’s return—Rahm cautioned that he doubts receiving the same deal.
Potential Cost of Re‑Entry
When Koepka negotiated his exit from LIV at the end of 2025, the Tour required him to pay $5 million to charity and forgo equity participation for five years. PGA Tour officials estimated the total penalty at $50 million or more. Rahm said, “Most likely, yeah. Why not? But it’s a big if. I seriously doubt I get offered the same deal that Brooks did.”
Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has indicated that the same offer was extended in January to other major champions, including Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, but he has not promised that the option remains open for Rahm.
Rahm’s Immediate Plans
Until a clear path emerges, Rahm intends to spend the upcoming year on the DP World Tour, the rebranded European Tour, and is reviewing his schedule to select events that fit his family and travel considerations. He noted that his family recently welcomed a second daughter, adding a personal dimension to his decision‑making.
Rahm’s legal separation from LIV Golf still requires approval from a bankruptcy judge later this week, and he will forfeit the millions owed him under his LIV contract. Despite the financial sacrifice, Rahm believes that returning to the PGA Tour would strengthen the competition and benefit the sport.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
