Jon Rahm produces inexplicable BMW PGA performance as LIV Golf exit rumours swirl

The Spanish two-time major champion faced a monumental task to make the weekend at the DP World Tour's flagship event after opening his account on the West Course with a 6-over 78. 

But Rahm made a swift exit after he signed for a 5-over 77 on Friday to sit dead last on the leaderboard on 11-over par. 

His 155 total for two rounds is his worst 36-hole score in 253 total events as a professional.

Playing alongside his Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, the 31-year-old began on the 9th and ticked off two pars before his round began to unravel. 

Rahm missed the green long with his approach to the par-4 11th and visited the bunker with his third. He trudged off the green with a six. 

A 29-foot birdie putt dropped at the 11th but back-to-back bogeys followed. 

Rahm then played his next five holes in level par before dropping two more shots at the 2nd and 3rd. 

His third birdie of the week arrived at the 4th. Rahm then played his remaining four holes in 1-over. 

The performance for Rahm comes amid speculation about where he will be playing professional golf in 2027. 

Rahm quit the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in December 2023 and has won three individual championships on the breakaway league since his move which reportedly saw him pocket north of $300m. 

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) decided to end its financial support for LIV in March. 

A PIF official said the substantial investment required to fund LIV was no longer consistent with their strategy.

LIV laid off the majority of its work force last month and filed for bankruptcy on 8 September. 

Rahm has remained tight-lipped about his future plans but there are rumours the 2023 Masters champion is seeking an exit from LIV, with his preferred destination a return to the PGA Tour. 

He is one of LIV's biggest creditors and is reportedly owed more than $100m. 

Rahm told reporters here at Wentworth that his situation hasn't changed since the Irish Open. 

Last week, he said he was uncertain of his future but was "willing to honour" his LIV Golf 1.0 contract. 

"There's a long legal process they have to go through before a lot of things fall into place," he said when asked, hypothetically, what needs to happen if he were to leave LIV Golf. 

"I really can't give you an answer right now."

The PGA Tour is pressing ahead with its plans for a revamped, two-tier schedule in 2028. 

It wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that Rahm is eyeing up a spot on their Championship Series in two years' time. 

But he will likely have to play his way into the top tier. 

PGA Tour chief executive, Brian Rolapp, told reporters in a virtual news conference at the beginning of the week there are no plans to bring back a returning member programme for LIV golfers. 

Brooks Koepka took advantage of the deal in January after leaving LIV. 

Rahm and fellow major champion Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith rejected the offer. 

"As I said a few weeks ago in Atlanta, there are really three things when it comes to anyone who wants to compete on the PGA Tour,” Rolapp said. 

"One, the PGA Tour is built on meritocracy. Every player, whether they are a member or want to become one, must earn their place.

"Two, we are a membership organisation; 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 programme like the one you saw in January."