Revealed: The millions LIV Golf owes Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and its biggest stars
Court filing reveals huge player claims as LIV faces up to $1bn in liabilities amid uncertain 2.0 future.
LIV Golf's bankruptcy filing has revealed millions of dollars being claimed by some of its biggest stars — although the amounts are not necessarily money the league accepts it owes.
The Saudi-backed circuit and related entities voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey on Tuesday, with court records showing assets of between $100m and $500m against liabilities of $500m to $1bn.
Several of LIV Golf's biggest names appear among its 30 largest unsecured creditors, with 27 creditors carrying stated claims worth a combined $64.2m.
However, the figures require some explanation.
The amounts listed (see below) are past-due payments at the time of the filing, rather than the overall value of the players' LIV contracts.
Reports citing multiple LIV players indicate the claims relate to quarterly Player Participation Agreement payments.
And LIV is disputing some of them.
Bryson DeChambeau's $5.77m claim is listed as contingent, while Dustin Johnson's $5.49m claim is described as contingent, unliquidated and disputed.
Rahm has the largest player figure at $7.5m, but that is only a fraction of his reported $350m LIV contract.
Multiple reports suggest Rahm, who is Legion XIII captain, could walk away from the league despite still being owed around $150m.
Flushing It claims Rahm left the LIV Golf group chat two weeks before the end of the season, such has been his frustration over the handlings of LIV 1.0.
How much are some of LIV's biggest players owed?
Player | Amount owed |
|---|---|
Jon Rahm | $7.50m |
Bryson DeChambeau | $5.77m |
Dustin Johnson | $5.49m |
Cameron Smith | $4.84m |
Adrian Meronk | $4.44m |
Tyrrell Hatton | $3.37m |
Brooks Koepka | $1.70m |
Joaquin Niemann | $1.3m |
Lucas Herbert | $1.0m |
Even if the amounts are ultimately accepted, the golfers may not receive the money as straightforward cash payments.
LIV says it is working with private equity firm BC Partners on a restructuring plan that would turn player debt into equity in the reorganised league.
Under the proposed model, the players would become majority owners of the revamped LIV.
That plan is still subject to the bankruptcy process, meaning there is no guarantee that players will recover the amounts in full — or in cash.
The filing also highlights LIV's wider financial obligations.
IMG Media is claiming $3.2m as a vendor, while the United Nations refugee agency is listed as being owed $1.72m under a grant agreement, though LIV disputes that claim.
Other creditors, including the Premier Golf League, have 'undetermined' claims linked to ongoing litigation, while YouTube star Rick Shiels is owed $1.4m.
Koepka's $1.7m figure is particularly notable given that the five-time major champion left LIV at the end of 2025 and has since returned to the PGA Tour.
BBC Sport understands there is no obligation on players to sign on to LIV 2.0, regardless of whether they had previously signed multi-year contracts with LIV Golf.
"Sources have said contracts under the previous iteration of LIV Golf will finish because of this court filing, with amounts owed to players and other creditors addressed through the court process," clarified BBC Sport.
"However, it remains unclear when players would then be able to enter discussions with other tours."
Players are therefore expected to find themselves with a choice over whether they want to sign up for the proposed LIV 2.0, rather than simply continuing under the contracts originally agreed with LIV Golf 1.0.
The crucial questions now are which claims will ultimately be accepted, how much will be recovered and whether that recovery comes through cash, equity or both.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
