PGA Tour not planning a second round of forgiveness with LIV players’ futures uncertain

Don’t expect the PGA Tour to welcome back any more LIV Golf players any time soon.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp reiterated that the organization has no plans to create another pathway for LIV golfers to return, telling reporters there were “three things when it comes to anyone who wants to compete on the PGA Tour.”

“One, the PGA Tour is built on meritocracy,” he said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday. “Every player, whether they are a member or want to become one, must earn their place. Two, we are a membership organization. We have rules, and those rules exist for lots of reasons, including fairness and competitive balance. Rules matter, and they must be enforced.

“Which brings me to number three, accountability and discipline. These are essential elements for any sports league and are certainly for the integrity of the PGA TOUR and the sport. It’s what holds the Tour together. Those are guiding principles for us. In terms of where we are today, we are not currently contemplating a returning-member program like the one you saw in January.”

As Rolapp referenced, the Tour welcomed back Brooks Koepka earlier this year under a one-time Returning Member Program. 

Patrick Reed also opted to return to the PGA as a past champion member, having become eligible to start playing events last month and potentially fully reinstated for the 2027 season.

The program was also available to fellow LIV stars Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, who were the only other players who met the Tour’s criteria of having won a major or The Players Championship between 2022 and 2025.

All three elected to remain with LIV and allowed the Feb. 2 deadline to pass. 

DeChambeau said at the time that he planned to honor his LIV contract for 2026, while Rahm and Smith also reaffirmed their commitments to the rival circuit.

Now, the rebel golf league is in limbo.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, months after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund ended its financial backing, listing between $500 million and $1 billion in liabilities against $100 million to $500 million in assets.

LIV has said it plans to restructure and return in a new form in 2027 with backing from BC Partners, though the futures of several of its biggest stars remain uncertain.