02/05/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | MAY 2, 2026

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FROM LEFT: Bryson Dechambeau, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Cameron Smith. – REUTERSPIC

What’s next for LIV golfers? Without Saudi Arabia’s PIF, DeChambeau and Ryder Cup stars could look for a way back to the PGA Tour L IV GOLF faces a concerning future with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) pulling its funding for the breaka way rebel golf league at the end of the hurt the chances of others to secure a swift return in 2027 and beyond. Here’s how the future looks for some of LIV Golf’s star players: Would the PGA Tour PGA Tour, with 11 players, including DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Talor Gooch and Ian Poulter, facing a more problematic future as a result. BRYSON DECHAMBEAU though, Rahm would be out of practice between the majors and be forced to search for competi tion beyond the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, perhaps the Asian Tour could profit from Rahm’s predicament? TYRRELL HATTON Ű BY JACK RATHBORN

2026 season. The PIF was not mentioned in a statement from LIV Golf on Thursday, which confirmed new board appointments and a switch from a “foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model,” sparking speculation that its best players could soon search for a route back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabia’s PIF and the figurehead of LIV Golf since it was founded in 2022, will step down, having overseen an unprecedented investment of around US$5 billion (RM19.8b) across four years, including nine-figure signing bonuses and $30m in prize money at each event. While the PIF explained that the move concerned a shift in the body’s investment priorities. “PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” read a statement. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strat egy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics. The LIV Golf Board has created a committee of independent directors to evaluate strategic alternatives for its future beyond PIF’s funding horizon.” Star players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Ryder Cup stars Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton could explore opportunities to rejoin the PGA Tour, but each situation is complicated. Just in January, PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp outlined a returning member pro gramme, in line with Brooks Koepka’s move to leave LIV Golf, while Patrick Reed was another to begin the process this year – serving a manda tory one-year suspension since his last LIV Golf appearance, before being able to tee it up on the PGA Tour again in Autumn. At the time, Rolapp mentioned that “this is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations,” which could

welcome back LIV Golf players? In short, yes, but it is complicated by their stance in January, which outlined a desire to only add four players: Koepka, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. They were the only four players meeting the cri teria to return, which stated that they must have won a major or The Players Championship since 2022 and have been away from the Tour for at least two years. It is unlikely that the same offer will be on the table now for Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith, who has been struggling for form in recent years. That said, Rolapp has been reshaping the Tour since joining as CEO in June last year, and will be aware of the commercial value of the Tour improving with the addition of Rahm and DeChambeau, whose controversial decision to pursue an antitrust suit against the Tour after the initial split may cause waves of unrest among existing players should a satisfactory punish ment not be emerge. Just like in January, with the returning mem ber programme, a route back to the PGA Tour will exist, in some capacity, though the condi tions are likely to be much more restrictive that those experienced by Koepka. There is an alternative route, which Patrick Reed has taken, a one-year ban dating to his last LIV appearance, but that is also not guaranteed. Alternatively, players could switch to the DP World Tour, provided they do not have any out standing fines and remain in the appeal process, like Rahm. The top 10 in the Race to Dubai Rankings at the end of the season will earn a PGA Tour card for the subsequent season, which could appeal to many, particularly those from Europe or with prior DP World Tour experience. There could be further complications due to the aforementioned antitrust suit against the How can LIV Golf players return to the PGA Tour?

The most valuable LIV Golf player, without question, and one of the only players to buy into the product and thrive as a result, with his social media presence and YouTube channel explod ing alongside his switch in 2022. The issue is DeChambeau, the Crushers GC captain, is aware that without him, LIV Golf would struggle to exist, and the price to extend will be exorbitant, having previously signed a reported nine-figure signing bonus. Now, the 32-year-old will be eyeing up another, in the region of, or in excess of Rahm’s reported $300m signing bonus at the end of 2023. Without PIF, though, that number is pre sumably off the table, leaving DeChambeau as one of the few players the PGA Tour would covet and potentially adapt to welcome back. The 2024 US Open champion has a 10-year exemption into the US Open itself, alongside a five-year exemptions for the Masters, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, mean ing four more years at least of major champion ships across the board, even without LIV. JON RAHM Rahm’s position is more complicated, with his simmering feud with the DP World Tour likely to cause him a headache should LIV Golf fizzle out at the end of 2026. Rahm’s eligibility for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor is in doubt as a result, and he could be without a major tour in 2027 as things stand. Accusing the DP World Tour of “extorting players,” Rahm refused join eight LIV Golf rebels, including Europe teammate Hatton, to settle with the DP World Tour following breaches of tour regulations. The 2023 Masters champion has a lifetime exemption at Augusta National, a five-year exemption for the other three major champion ships (PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open). Should LIV Golf fail to produce a 2027 season

Perhaps the next most important player on LIV Golf after Rahm for Europe’s captain Donald, though he will not need to worry too much about Hatton’s eligibility. Hatton is one of the few to thrive since switching, winning twice on the DP World Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship for a third time in 2024 and then again at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic last year. Currently 28th, with just two official sanc tioned tournaments played, the fiery Englishman could easily move into the top 10 with his major championship performances and the most prestigious DP World Tour events later in the calendar, having settled his fines. Tied third at Augusta this year, with a com petitive record in the majors since joining LIV, Hatton will almost certainly be back on the PGA Tour in 2027, should he wish to return. CAMERON SMITH Devoid of form and confidence, the 2022 Open champion either cashed in at the perfect time, or his switch to LIV Golf may have directly scuppered a potentially legendary run. Since outgunning Rory McIlroy at St Andrews in 2022, the Australian has three top 10 finishes in 13 major championships and is cur rently on a horrific run of six consecutive cuts. He was the other player eligible to rejoin the PGA Tour as part of its returning member pro gramme, though he has remained loyal to LIV Golf and Australia, in general, admitting the extra time at home and the yearly tournament in Adelaide was a huge part of his decision to make the original switch. Though he is exempt in The Open until he is 60 years of age, his exemptions into The Masters, PGA Championship and US Open will expire at the end of 2027, meaning Smith’s clock is tick ing.

The Independent