When LIV Golf first came on the scene, the league acquired some top-level talent by spending money that was unprecedented in the world of golf.
While we don’t have exact numbers, reports suggest some players have signed deals as high as $100 million (and that’s not even including all the prize money that followed).
Most of these mega-deals had terms of four years (2022-2026), meaning that some of LIV’s top players are now going through contract extension talks or parting ways with the league.
This will be one really interesting process to watch.
Some of these initial contracts had a lot of signing bonus money that may not be there this time around. Four more years have passed and some players have aged better than others.
But LIV doesn’t have much influence as the league has failed despite spending billions.
“A lot of these guys’ contracts are up,” Rory McIlroy said recently. “(LIV players) will be looking for the same number or even more. LIV has spent five or six billion US dollars and will have to spend another five or six just to maintain where they are.”
(For what it’s worth, McIlroy also said a deal between the PGA Tour and LIV remains “very difficult” to reach, reaffirming that a union remains almost dead.)
Will LIV attract its top-tier talent for 2027 and beyond?
And which LIV players — potentially looking for a more permanent future — could return to the Tour for the foreseeable future?
Let’s take a look at their top five-star players.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau’s initial contract, which he confirmed expires in 2026, was worth $125 million. This was probably the smartest investment LIV made, given how its popularity has exploded in the past two years.
Based on what he said at the US Open, it looks like DeChambeau will likely 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 offer. I believe we’re going to come to some kind of resolution on this.
He went on to say that he believes in the team golf franchise model, even citing the success of TGL as proof that golf will continue to look different in the future.
No golfer has benefited from LIV more than DeChambeau. It has used the more flexible schedule and less competitive atmosphere to focus on content creation while still remaining highly competitive in majors.
He had a rocky relationship with tournament officials and I doubt he has much desire to return, although he might a new version of the tour schedule may be attractive enough to consider moving.
It would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t strike a deal with LIV sometime in the next few months.
Possibility of re-signing with LIV: 8/10
Jon Rahm
While Rahm’s initial contract with LIV runs beyond next year, the future is a bit murky.
What could change Rahm’s mind? 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, on the other hand, says he won’t pay the fines.
“I’m not a big fan of fines,” he said before Chicago’s LIV tournament last year. “I think I’ve been open about it. I have no intention of paying the fines and we continue to try to discuss with them how we can do that.”
If there is no resolution, the fines could eventually make Rahm ineligible for DP World Tour events, which could affect his membership on that tour and his status for the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Some have also questioned whether Rahm is a good fit for LIV, given his disappointing performance in the majors since leaving.
This one is a bit blurry at the moment.
Possibility of re-signing with LIV: 6/10
Brooks Koepka
Koepka is one of the biggest wild cards heading into 2026.
There has been rampant speculation – even going back to 2023 – that Koepka is not as happy with LIV as many of his colleagues. Some have even suggested that he regrets his decision to leave the PGA Tour.
In March, Koepka left the door wide open for any possibility.
“I have a contract obligation 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 everyone else is doing.”
Now it’s Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter reporting that Koepka may not even play the final year of his contract with LIV. He would lose about $20 million, but could still play in the DP World Tour and major events.
It has also been suggested that Koepka could use 2026 to serve a 12-month suspension from the tournament, making him potentially eligible to return next year. The tournament has yet to officially outline what LIV players must 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 about the players, but he is signed for 2026.”
Koepka is 35 years old and has been on a downward spiral for the past two yearsfalling to number 162 on Data Golf.
A return to the tournament can be motivating. I think he’ll end up back there at some point.
Possibility of re-signing with LIV: 2/10
Dustin Johnson
Well, that’s easy.
Johnson is said to be among the first to sign a second contract with LIV, although nothing has been officially announced.
That looks like a layup like the 41-year-old Johnson it has been largely irrelevant and non-competitive for many years.
He’s still a big name and captain of the 4Aces, so he’ll likely ride the money train for as long as possible.
Possibility of re-signing with LIV: 9/10
Cameron Smith
Smith is only 32 years old and should be in the prime of his career, but his game has declined since signing a contract with LIV after winning the 2022 Open Championship. He has fallen to No. 120 on Data Golf and has missed his past five cuts in the majors (although he did put in some incredible form at the recent Australian Open).
He has major exemptions until 2028 due to his win at The Open, but everything after that point is a given. LIV’s endless search for official world golf ranking points.
I expect Smith to stay with LIV in 2027-2028 given how beneficial the league has been to Australian golf. Smith, who recently became a father, has also cited family reasons for signing with LIV.
But after that, much will depend on the future landscape of professional golf.
Possibility of re-signing with LIV: 8/10
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