When LIV Golf first came onto the scene, the league acquired some high-end talent by spending money that was unprecedented in the golf world.
While we don’t have exact numbers, reports suggest several players signed deals well north of $100 million (and that doesn’t even include all the prize money that followed).
Most of those mega deals had four-year terms (2022-2026), meaning some of LIV’s top players are now going through talks of contract extensions or parting ways with the league.
This will be a really fascinating process to watch.
Some of these initial contracts had a lot of upfront signing bonus money that might not be there this time around. It’s also four years down the road and certain players have aged better than others.
But LIV doesn’t have much leverage as the league has floundered despite spending billions.
“A lot of these guys’ contracts are up,” Rory McIlroy said recently. “(LIV players) are going to ask for the same number or an even bigger number. LIV have spent five or six billion U.S. dollars, and they’re going to have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are.”
(For what it’s worth, McIlroy also said that a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV remains “very difficult” to pull off, reaffirming that a unification remains pretty much dead.)
Will LIV be pulling back its high-end talent for 2027 and beyond?
And which LIV players—potentially seeking a more stable future—could find themselves back with the Tour in the foreseeable future?
Let’s take a look at their top five star players.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau’s initial contract, which he confirmed ends in 2026, was worth a reported $125 million. It was maybe the savviest investment LIV made given how his popularity has exploded in the past couple of years.
Based on what he said back at the U.S. Open, it sounds like DeChambeau is likely to return to LIV.
“We’re looking to negotiate at the end of this year,” DeChambeau said. “I’m very excited. They see the value in me, I see the value in what they can provide. I believe we’ll come to some sort of resolution on that.
He went on to say he believes in the team golf franchise model, even citing TGL’s success as proof that golf will continue to look different in the future.
No golfer has benefited from LIV more than DeChambeau. He has used the more flexible schedule and less competitive atmosphere to focus on content creation while still remaining highly competitive in majors.
He had an acrimonious relationship with Tour officials and I doubt there is much desire to return, though perhaps a new version of the Tour schedule could be alluring enough to consider the move.
It would be a big surprise if he didn’t come to an agreement with LIV sometime in the next few months.
Likelihood of re-signing with LIV: 8/10
Jon Rahm
While Rahm’s initial LIV contract runs beyond next year, the future is a little murky.
What could change Rahm’s mind? The Ryder Cup.
It was announced back in July that LIV is no longer paying for fines when a player competes on the DP World Tour. Rahm, in turn, says he won’t pay the fines.
“I’m not a big fan of the fines,” he said prior to last year’s LIV Chicago tournament. “I think I’ve been outspoken about that. I don’t intend to pay the fines and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.”
If there is no resolution, the fines could eventually make Rahm ineligible for DP World Tour events which could impact his membership with that tour and his status for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Some have also questioned whether Rahm is a great fit for LIV given his disappointing performance in majors since leaving.
This one is a bit hazy for the moment.
Likelihood of re-signing with LIV: 6/10
Brooks Koepka
Koepka is one of the big wild cards heading into 2026.
There has been rampant speculation—even going back to 2023—that Koepka isn’t as satisfied with LIV as many of his colleagues. Some have even suggested that he regrets his decision to leave the PGA Tour.
Back in March, Koepka left the door wide open for any possibility.
“I’ve got a contract obligation out here to fulfill and then we’ll see what happens,” he said. “I don’t know where I’m going so I don’t know how everybody else does.”
Now Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal is reporting that Koepka may not even play out the final year of his LIV contract. He would forfeit about $20 million but could still play DP World Tour events and the majors.
It has also been suggested Koepka may use 2026 to serve a 12-month Tour suspension, potentially making him eligible to return next year. The Tour has yet to formally outline what LIV players would have to do to return.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil didn’t exactly inspire confidence when asked about the Koepka situation. “We haven’t made any announcements on players but he is signed for 2026.”
Koepka is 35 and has been in a downward spiral the past two years, falling to No. 162 in Data Golf.
A move back to the Tour might be motivating. I think he’ll end up back there at some point.
Likelihood of re-signing with LIV: 2/10
Dustin Johnson
Well, this is an easy one.
Johnson is reportedly among the first to sign a second contract with LIV although nothing has been formally announced.
This one seems like a layup as the 41-year-old Johnson has been mostly irrelevant and uncompetitive for multiple years.
He’s still a big name and captain of the 4Aces so he’ll likely be riding the money train as long as possible.
Likelihood of re-signing with LIV: 9/10
Cameron Smith
Smith is only 32 and should be in the prime of his career but his game has cratered since signing a contract with LIV after winning the 2022 Open Championship. He has fallen to No. 120 in Data Golf and has missed the past five cuts in majors (although he did flash some tremendous form at the recent Australian Open).
He has major exemptions through 2028 because of his win at The Open but everything after that point is a mystery given LIV’s endless search for Official World Golf Ranking points.
I expect Smith to stay with LIV in 2027-2028 given how the league has been beneficial for Australian golf. Smith, who recently became a dad, has also cited family reasons for signing with LIV.
But after that, it will depend heavily on the future landscape of pro golf.
Likelihood of re-signing with LIV: 8/10
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