LIV GOLF has filed for chapter in a transfer that can permit main names resembling Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to stroll away earlier than the expiration of their contracts.
A ‘Chapter 11’ petition was lodged in New Jersey on Tuesday, with the breakaway league locked in a battle to outlive ever since their Saudi Arabian backers introduced in April that they had been pulling the plug.
The newest growth had been broadly anticipated, however nonetheless marks a major milestone in LIV’s dramatic fall 4 years after its arrival triggered an unpleasant civil warfare within the sport.
Whereas chapter may permit the circuit to grasp its acknowledged ambition of a LIV 2.0, it stays to be seen if their forthcoming union with BC Companions, a non-public fairness group, can be enough for the league to increase right into a 2027 season.
The best unknown at this stage is which of their marquee gamers will stick with the mission in a vastly diminished and fewer profitable type, as it’s understood that chapter will permit the golfers to exit their contracts, even when they’ve time nonetheless to run.
Bryson DeChambeau‘s deal expired on the finish of the 2026 season however he’s anticipated to recommit in return for fairness within the league. The image round Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton is much extra regarding to LIV insiders – each males are contracted by way of 2028 and Day by day Mail Sport sources had indicated previous to chapter that each males had been prone to depart within the occasion of the petition being filed.
Yasir Al Rumayyan (Governor of PIF, Chairman of Aramco) congratulates profitable participant, Elvis Smylie (Ripper GC) on day 4 of LIV Golf in Riyadh LIV Golf Riyad again in February
Sergio Garcia performs his shot from the twelfth tee field throughout day one of many LIV Invitational
Rahm, for one, hinted on the chance earlier on Tuesday, when requested on the DP World Tour’s Irish Open if he want to see a pathway again to the PGA Tour. He mentioned: ‘I nonetheless have a contract with LIV 1.0 that I’m greater than prepared to fulfil, so like I mentioned time will inform.’
The selection of phrase – ‘LIV 1.0’ – would recommend his loyalty was contingent on his present phrases being honoured with a purpose to proceed with LIV.
Having joined the league for a reported $300million in 2023, Rahm remains to be believed to be owed a nine-figure chunk of that payment, which was structured in instalments throughout a five-year contract. Together with DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, the Spaniard is likely one of the firm’s prime three unsecured collectors, in keeping with the petition. Every man is owed greater than $5 million, although these sums are understood to narrate solely to obligations from the third quarter of 2026.
Johnson, Cameron Smith, Adrian Meronk, Hatton and Bubba Watson are additionally amongst a gaggle of 9 gamers claiming unpaid charges.
Within the probability that some now select to exit, Hatton and Rahm have a ready-made dwelling on the DP World Tour, the place they’ve retained membership throughout the civil warfare, however a return to the PGA Tour would require serving a 12-month suspension from their final LIV begin. That was the route favoured by Patrick Reed earlier this yr when he walked away from an entity that drained the Saudis of greater than $5billion since 2022.
Day by day Mail Sport beforehand revealed in Might that a part of LIV’s hope for survival was depending on gamers accepting fairness within the league as a substitute of the huge sums of money that fuelled its conception. Such an assumption of curiosity will now be examined.
CEO of LIV Golf Scott O’Neil: ”Now it’s time to enter the subsequent part of LIV Golf’
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC reacts to his missed putt on the sixteenth inexperienced throughout Day Two of LIV Michigan at The Cardinal at Saint John’s on August 23, 2025 in Plymouth, Michigan
In a letter to LIV followers on Tuesday, the circuit’s CEO Scott O’Neil wrote: ‘Now it’s time to enter the subsequent part of LIV Golf. At this time, we took an essential step ahead to get there. LIV Golf has entered a court-supervised restructuring course of that gives us with the time and framework to deal with earlier monetary obligations and full a transaction that can make the League’s subsequent part a actuality. Put merely, this course of is designed to construct a stronger and extra sustainable future for LIV Golf.
‘Loads of well-known corporations have taken this path earlier than us, together with Marvel Leisure, Delta Airways, and Caesars Leisure, together with sports activities franchises just like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Leeds United F.C.
‘We’re coming into this course of with a transparent plan and the assist of BC Companions, well-capitalized buyers with deep expertise in sports activities and leisure.
‘Our goal isn’t merely to protect what we’ve got. It’s to make it higher.
‘The following part of LIV Golf can be constructed round a sustainable enterprise mannequin and deeper alignment between gamers and the League, with crew golf at its core. Gamers may have the chance to share instantly within the worth they assist create, whereas groups can be positioned to develop into enduring international sports activities companies. And followers will stay on the centre of all the pieces we do.’
Underneath O’Neil’s plans, a 2027 season would see 10 tournaments, down from the 14 initially scheduled for 2026, and prize funds lowered from round $30m to a determine understood to be between $7m and $10m.
