LIV Golf, as we knew it, is officially in its final days. That Saudi cash pipeline dried up back in April, and now players are not just bailing, they are straight up *demanding* what they say they are owed. We’re talking about a league that began with unlimited funds, and now, as its “go/no-go” deadline looms, it is scrambling to hold onto any shred of its original vision, let alone its stars.
The Exodus: Big Names Bailing on LIV Golf
The biggest gut punch came weeks ago when Jon Rahm pulled the ultimate power move. Rahm, whose jump to LIV in late 2023 was a seismic moment for the league, decided he’d had enough. Despite three years of absolute domination on LIV, a serious underperformance in majors has him walking away from millions, perhaps even tens of millions, still owed on his contract. His future plans are still up in the air, but the fact that he is willing to ditch that kind of cash is a stark statement about his belief in “LIV 2.0.”
And he is not alone! Ian Poulter announced his LIV tenure was over, even dropping a thank you on X. Tyrrell Hatton, a Legion XIII teammate of Rahm’s, also declared he would not be playing in the new version of LIV. He is already set to tee it up at the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship in early November. We’ve also got major winners Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen making it clear they are pursuing other opportunities. This is a star-driven game, folks, and when your biggest draws walk out the door, it makes attracting eyeballs to “LIV 2.0” nearly impossible. LIV’s new investor, BC Partners Credit, set an October 25 deadline for players to commit, but that date could definitely get moved.
The Paycheck Standoff: $100 Million and Two Cents on the Dollar?
It gets even wilder, because some players are not just leaving, they are going after what they are owed from LIV 1.0. More than 10 players, led by Masters champions Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson, are reportedly seeking more favorable severance deals from the Public Investment Fund. We are talking about over $100 million in unpaid contract terms here. Johnson’s attorney, David Cornwell, made it crystal clear: these guys are reluctant to sign on for “LIV 2.0” until those initial obligations are sorted out. And get this: the PIF reportedly offered the players a paltry *two cents on the dollar* for the remainder of those contracts. Seriously, two cents? You gotta be kidding me.
LIV’s own attorneys have suggested in recent bankruptcy hearings that a decision on the league’s future existence is coming by the end of this month. With players walking away from millions, others demanding what they are owed, and an investor deadline looming, the future of this league is hanging by a thread. It’s going to be a wild finish to the month as we wait to see if “LIV 2.0” ever even sees the light of day.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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