Jon Rahm was one of the top players in the world when he joined LIV Golf. He’s now slipped to15th in the world and wants to return to the PGA Tour. But that depends on legal decisions and future conversations.
As of this past Tuesday, Rahm had not had any talks with the PGA Tour regarding what they might offer him to return, if anything. The “if anything” is the elephant in the room regarding Rahm’s future. And that’s not all. The U.S. Department of State currently lists Abu Dhabi at Level 3, which is "Reconsider Travel." So far, no hostilities have been reported on the host golf course, but it's a dangerous area of the world.
Then there are exemptions to the PGA Tour which Rahm has through 2028, but his status is affected by LIV’s bankruptcy, according to the Global Golf Post. The Tour would want any legal obligations created by the bankruptcy straightened out before extending a get-out-of-LIV-jail-free card.
One important decision may come by Friday. Rahm filed paperwork to separate from LIV Golf, which still requires approval from a bankruptcy judge. That will supposedly happen this week.
So, as of now, Rahm is a DP World Tour player with his valuable exemptions for the PGA Tour hanging in the breeze. He already passed on the so-called one-time return offer made by the PGA Tour.
“I seriously doubt I get offered the same deal that Brooks did. But yeah, if I got offered exactly the same penalties as him, I probably would do it, yes,” he said Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
Rahm elected not to take the path back to the PGA Tour that Kopeka did when it was offered.
Koepka had penalties. He had to make a $5 million charitable donation to a charity to be decided jointly by Koepka and the PGA Tour. He had to forfeit any equity participation in the PGA Tour for five years. In addition, he is not eligible to participate in bonus pool payouts, he cannot have exemptions to tournaments and he must qualify for signature events just as any other non-Signature Series player would. He also is obligated to play a minimum of 15 co-sponsored PGA Tour events. There were some additional conditions, too.
“I don't know if the possibility of that would be open for me or not, but if I have to fulfill a one-year suspension, I think it's a pretty good position to be that a worst-case scenario I get to play on a wonderful tour for a whole year,” he added. “Even if I get to go and play PGA Tour events, I'll still play European Tour events, as well. I'll play some events that I want to play like I've done in the past and maybe a few more.”
Rahm could actually be a big asset for the DP World Tour, if that is where he needs to play for a season. So many of the stars in European players have jumped ship in recent years, whether to come to the US or to LIV, Rahm's star power will help that Tour considerably. He is quite popular with fans and could become the new Seve Ballesteros, drawing in all manner of fans for Europe where he has a substantial following.
“I know for sure I can play DP World Tour, right. They have been really gracious and allowed me to play,” he noted.
As far as the current state of his game, the basic description is rusty, mainly due to the birth of his and Kelley’s fourth child. He has said that he’s happy to have another little one at home and has been taking over some of the responsibilities for the first three while his wife recovers and tends to the new baby.
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