LIV Golf: What next for the players on PGA and DP World Tour?
BBC Sport explores the future of LIV Golf players and its impact on the PGA and DP World Tours.
The Latest Developments
The DP World Tour has expressed interest in accommodating LIV Golf players who wish to leave, exploring options as it receives a "high volume" of inquiries. This comes after LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, aiming to restructure for a new era next year.
LIV’s Financial Struggles
LIV owes at least $45 million (£33 million) to 14 current and former players. With its estimated assets ranging from $100 million to $500 million (£74 million to £370 million) and liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion (£370 million to £739 million), the organization plans to rebuild under a sustainable business model for LIV 2.0.
Player Decisions
The future of LIV’s golfers is uncertain, especially given the acrimony surrounding its launch and subsequent investments. Some key points:
- Return to Traditional Tours: Players can now opt to leave LIV and rejoin the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, but they may face restrictions due to contracts.
- Complicated Participation: A few players hold exemptions for both tours, while others have conditional releases allowing them to play on both without immediate penalties.
- Case Studies:
- Brooks Koepka: Returned to the PGA Tour in 2026 after leaving LIV, facing significant financial repercussions, including a charitable donation and loss of benefits from the FedExCup Bonus scheme until 2030.
- Patrick Reed: Quitting LIV without meeting PGA Tour’s returning member program criteria led him to earn his place back through the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai top 10.
DP World Tour’s Response
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour stated they are willing to accommodate players who leave LIV, provided they are free from third-party restrictions and agree to their membership regulations. The tour’s tournament committee has approved a process for these inquiries.
Uncertainty Ahead
It remains to be seen how many LIV players will choose to stay or return to the traditional tours, with "time will tell" as Jon Rahm puts it regarding LIV’s future.
