LIV Golf transfer talk rumours 'strengthen' ahead of Ryder Cup at Bethpage

A number of PGA Tour and DP World Tour players are reportedly in talks to join the LIV Golf League in 2026. 

The update about potential LIV Golf player signings for next season was provided by popular golf social media account, Flushing It, ahead of this week's Ryder Cup at Bethpage. 

Although none of the linked players have yet put pen to paper on a move away from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, it is understood a number of the 14 team franchises on LIV Golf are looking to "strengthen" their squads ahead of the league's fifth season. 

There are reportedly "at least six spots" still up for grabs on LIV Golf in 2026. 

The Saudi-bankrolled LIV Golf League confirmed earlier this season that new signings will no longer receive any big-money signing-on bonuses.

Jon Rahm, who joined LIV Golf at the end of 2023, reportedly accepted a signing-on fee north of $300m. 

Other superstar names such as Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson were around the $150-200m mark, with Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith a little less around $100m-125m. 

The limiting of signing-on bonuses could reduce LIV Golf's capacity to secure some of the world's biggest talent, but with regular prize pots of $25m dished out and $4m going to the winner of each individual tournament, not to mention a worldwide schedule, and there will no doubt still be plenty of appeal for players on both the PGA Tour and especially the DP World Tour. 

Flushing It tweeted ahead of the Ryder Cup:

"LIV Golf are in conversations with several PGA Tour and DP World Tour players to strengthen various franchises ahead of the 2026 season. As far as I’m aware, none of those players have agreed terms yet, but negotiations are ongoing. 

"There’s at least 6 spots to fill for next season’s LIV Golf League after players were relegated for finishing inside the “Drop Zone” this year. It’s unclear at this stage how many players will be promoted via the pathway systems and which contracts will be renewed for players in the “Open Zone”, but it’s safe to say there will definitely be a few new additions who will be directly signed. 

"With no deal with the PGA Tour in sight, LIV Golf will have some obvious targets of players they wish to sign. But with the huge signing on bonuses likely a thing of the past, there will be a big question during the off season of whether they can get these deals across the line or not. 

"Stay tuned."

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