Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf exit followed by another major departure just days after DP World Tour win

Jon Rahm's shock decision to walk away from LIV Golf has been followed by another major development, with Adrian Meronk also deciding against signing up for LIV 2.0 just days after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The Pole, who claimed his fifth DP World Tour title at the Home of Golf on Sunday, had represented Martin Kaymer's Cleeks GC since joining LIV Golf at the start of 2024.

But his three-year spell on the breakaway league is said to be over. 

The latest development was reported by Polish golf journalist Jacek Person, who revealed that Meronk has no intention of playing on LIV Golf in 2027. 

“The End! Adrian Meronk has no intention of extending his contract with LIV Golf!” Person wrote in a post translated from Polish.

The timing could hardly be more significant.

Meronk produced an impressive performance at the Dunhill Links to win at the famous Old Course at St Andrews on Sunday, finishing two shots clear of the field for his first DP World Tour victory since the 2023 Andalucia Masters.

It was an emotional win for him too. 

The result was particularly notable after an inconsistent recent spell on LIV. 

Meronk won his first and only LIV Golf title at Riyadh in 2025, when he claimed the curtain-raising event of the season.

Now, just days after returning to the DP World Tour winner's circle, the 33-year-old has decided his future lies away from LIV Golf.

Meronk's Ryder Cup frustration

Meronk's career has taken an interesting turn since he was controversially overlooked for Europe's 2023 Ryder Cup team.

The Pole had enjoyed an outstanding season and appeared to be a strong candidate for one of Luke Donald's captain's picks.

Instead, Donald selected Denmark's Nicolai Højgaard, leaving Meronk out of the team that went on to defeat the United States 16½-11½ at Marco Simone.

Højgaard contributed only half a point from three matches, although the decision ultimately mattered little as Donald's side secured a comfortable victory.

Meronk was understandably frustrated by his omission.

Rather than dwell on it, he responded with his golf.

Just one month after the Ryder Cup, he won the Andalucia Masters before putting pen to paper on a deal with LIV Golf two months later.

His latest victory at St Andrews now puts him firmly back in the European spotlight at an intriguing time.

With the 2027 Ryder Cup now less than 12 months away, a return to regular DP World Tour competition could give Meronk another opportunity to put himself in the conversation for a place in Donald's team.

It's fair to say Meronk looks much more settled on the DP World Tour than he ever has done on LIV Golf. 

Rahm quits LIV Golf 

Meronk's decision to quit LIV comes just hours after Rahm's own LIV future was settled.

After months of rumours, it has finally been confirmed that the two-time major champion will not commit to LIV's proposed 2.0 model after deciding against the terms on offer.

Rahm’s lawyer, John Beck, told a U.S. bankruptcy court hearing on Tuesday that the 31-year-old had independently reviewed the terms for LIV 2.0 before deciding they did not work for him.

According to remarks reported by Front Office Sports' David Rumsey, Beck said: “(Jon) has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0... and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will be not be participating going forward.”

Rahm was LIV's biggest signing when he joined for a reported $350m before the start of the 2024 campaign. 

The former World No.1 might not have won individual LIV events quite as regularly as we all initially anticipated, but the consistency and class was there for all to see on a regular basis as Rahm won LIV's Individual Championship for three straight years from 2024 to 2026.  

It is understood from multiple reports in the industry that Rahm is still owed in the region of $150m from his initial LIV deal. 

Rahm's departure is without doubt a huge blow for the league as it attempts to rebuild for what it hopes will be a new 2.0 era in 2027. 

Meronk is not in the same bracket commercially as Rahm, but losing another established player so soon afterwards will only add to the questions surrounding LIV's plans.

More player exits are expected too. 

Garcia wants Ryder Cup (and possible PGA Tour) return

Sergio Garcia's situation also remains worth watching this month.

The 2017 Masters champion has already secured his release from his LIV contract and has effectively become a free agent.

Garcia, who has served as Fireballs GC captain for the last five years, reiterated to Spanish reporters on Wednesday that he fully intends to return to the DP World Tour in 2027.

The 46-year-old has his sights firmly set on an 11th Ryder Cup appearance, while he has also left the door open for a shock return to the PGA Tour.

The record Ryder Cup points scorer is not the only LIV star whose future remains uncertain.

While there is expectation Bryson DeChambeau is more likely to stick rather than twist on LIV 2.0, the same cannot be said for Tyrrell Hatton and Joaquin Niemann, who have both brushed over the subject during recent interviews on the DP World Tour. 

Niemann last week admitted he is still weighing up his options, and even went as far to say it would be "incredible" to get back on the PGA Tour again. 

There is also growing speculation that Hatton could follow his Legion XIII and European Ryder Cup teammate Rahm out of LIV.

Hatton's management declined comment when approached by GolfMagic at the time of publication. 

LIV remains bullish on 2.0 plans despite Rahm decision

LIV is now facing the prospect of losing several established stars as it prepares for its proposed new model.

There is still a financial lifeline for LIV, with BC Partners Credit committing to an initial investment as part of a potential $300 million financing package.

The proposed new structure is also expected to give players equity in the league and their respective teams.

LIV has been seeking new investment ever since learning earlier this season that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has pumped $5 billion into the league over the last five years, no longer wants to fund the league beyond 2026.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding several of its biggest names, sources with knowledge of league operations insist that discussions with players over participation in LIV Golf 2.0 remain on track.

The same sources maintain that the developments in court have not altered the expected timeline or momentum behind the restructuring process, with the league continuing to work towards a transaction with BC Partners and planning for the 2027 season.

There is also some flexibility around the timetable, with BC Partners Credit retaining the right under the amended restructuring agreement to extend or waive certain milestones, including the player commitment milestone.

But while LIV remains confident that its 2.0 plans are progressing, the league now faces a far more immediate problem: keeping hold of the established stars it already has.

With Rahm and Meronk on their way out and Garcia already eyeing the door, LIV Golf's road to 2.0 is beginning to look less like a rebuild — and more like a fight to stop the exodus.