Jon Rahm quits LIV Golf over terms for planned relaunch

LIV Golf's proposed relaunch follows a financial crisis. Guardian Sport reported that the tour filed for bankruptcy after Saudi funding was withdrawn.

The revival plan would change the players' relationship with the business. According to Bloomberg, LIV proposed giving players a majority ownership stake in the newly established enterprise. Rahm considers that proposal unacceptable.

On October 7, the BBC reported that Rahm's lawyer had told a bankruptcy court hearing that he would leave rather than accept the proposed terms for LIV Golf 2.0. World News CNA reported that his departure would come after three seasons.

The same day, ESPN reported that the two-time major champion was working to finalize a separation agreement by October 15. That leaves a distinction between his decision to go and completion of the arrangements for his exit.

On October 8, the Japan Times identified the attorney as John Beck and reported that Rahm had made his decision after reviewing details of the league's planned next phase.

Negotiations with other players were continuing. On October 8, the Financial Times reported that LIV was accelerating those talks, with Bryson DeChambeau exploring a future in the revamped team-format league.

Rahm has rejected the proposed relaunch terms, and his separation agreement remains the next reported step. Bloomberg described the loss of the league's top-ranked professional as a blow to its bankruptcy-exit plan.

The reporting does not establish where Rahm will play next. Nor does it set out all the terms he rejected, beyond Bloomberg's account of the proposed majority ownership stake for players.

The immediate deadline is October 15, the date Rahm's attorney gave for finalizing a separation agreement, according to ESPN. The other pending issue is whether LIV's ongoing player negotiations can secure participation in the revived league, talks reported by the Financial Times.