PGA Tour star "turns down lucrative offer" to join LIV Golf League in 2026

LIV Golf has suffered another major blow after it emerged PGA Tour star Akshay Bhatia turned down a hugely lucrative offer to join the Saudi-backed league.

Multiple sources have confirmed to GolfChannel.com that Bhatia rejected the approach, despite being lined up as LIV Golf’s biggest signing in nearly two years.

The 23-year-old left-hander, a two-time PGA Tour winner, has quietly established himself as one of the most consistent young players in the game, reaching the Tour Championship at East Lake in back-to-back seasons. 

Bhatia ended 2025, shortly before getting married to wife Presleigh, ranked 46th in the Official World Golf Rankings — and firmly on LIV’s radar.

But even with big money on the table, Bhatia refused to budge.

His decision mirrors that of Si Woo Kim, who recently revealed he had also knocked back LIV Golf interest in favour of staying loyal to the PGA Tour, despite being targeted for a move to Iron Heads GC.

While LIV Golf has managed to add numbers ahead of the 2026 season, it continues to miss out where it hurts most — superstar names.

Victor Perez and Laurie Canter signed with the league late in 2025, while it has since been confirmed that Elvis Smylie and Thomas Detry will join for 2026. 

More additions are expected via LIV Golf Promotions this week.

But marquee PGA Tour talent? That cupboard remains bare.

According to Golf Channel, LIV Golf is finding it increasingly difficult to lure established stars away from the PGA Tour — and Bhatia is the latest high-profile name to say no.

Jon Rahm remains LIV Golf’s last blockbuster signing, joining in December 2023 on a deal widely reported to be worth around $300 million. Since then, the mega-moves have dried up.

The failure to land Bhatia comes at a delicate moment for LIV Golf, following news in December that Brooks Koepka had “amicably” split with the league.

Koepka became the first major name to walk away from LIV Golf, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. 

Although suspended from the PGA Tour, the five-time major champion is expected to play a limited 2026 schedule focused largely around the four majors, with occasional DP World Tour appearances — as he did in 2025.

With LIV Golf’s new season set to begin next month in Saudi Arabia, the league may be adding players — but its search for true star power is proving tougher than ever.