Golf insider dismisses Jon Rahm PGA Tour return rumours: "There is no conversation"

No conversations between the PGA Tour and Jon Rahm about a possible return for the Spaniard have been held, according to Golfweek columnist and Golf Channel contributor Eamon Lynch. 

Reports emerged last week that LIV Golf officials were resigned to losing the two-time major champion, with the 31-year-old unlikely to commit to a new proposal that would give him an equity stake in the league.

Rahm is said to favour a return to the PGA Tour as soon as possible and, according to TeeTimes, is willing to agree to harsher terms than Brooks Koepka accepted when the five-time major champion quit LIV. 

But those reports are wide of the mark according to Lynch, who told Golf Channel that PGA Tour officials, including chief executive Brian Rolapp, are not going to engage in talks with Rahm whilst he's under contract to avoid a tortious interference claim.

"What you're seeing now is exit planning going on, and particularly these rumours going around about Jon Rahm, which is very obviously, the people around him just chumming the waters, trying to create a narrative that Jon Rahm has options," he said.

"I've talked to multiple sources at the PGA Tour. There is no conversation with Jon Rahm. 

"That would have to start between Jon Rahm and Brian Rolapp, and Jon Rahm is contractually obligated to LIV Golf right now. 

"And if LIV does file for bankruptcy, that doesn't necessarily void Jon Rahm's contract. 

"It may make him one of their larger creditors, but it might not automatically free him from his contractual obligations. 

"And the PGA Tour is not going to set itself up for a tortious interference claim from LIV Golf at this point in the proceedings, Jon Rahm has a problem. Brian Rolapp does not have a problem right now."

Rahm joined LIV Golf in December 2023 for a reported fee of at least $300m. 

His arrival came just six months after the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) reached a framework agreement.

At the time, it was speculated that Rahm felt he could be a leverage point in negotiations. 

He conceded as much in an interview with BBC Sport before his title defence at the 2024 Masters.

But despite intervention from Donald Trump's White House, a deal was never struck between golf's establishment and LIV's financiers. 

Still, Lynch believes that Rahm would be welcomed back by the PGA Tour membership as he still commands "tremendous respect as a player and as a competitor".

"But a lot of folks in the locker room haven't forgotten that Jon Rahm left for LIV right after the framework agreement was signed," he added.

"He willingly became a leverage point in negotiations for the Saudis, and then claimed afterwards that he thought he would be the catalyst to reunite the tours, that somehow, the shock of Jon Rahm leaving would bring everyone to their senses, which is a certain preening self regard, and that kind of statement.

"He's never sued the PGA Tour, unlike Bryson, who was the last man standing in the litigation. 

"So, Rahm has that going for him. 

"But I think there's a sense out there that they're not going to roll out the welcome mat for Jon Rahm too quickly. 

"I do think he would be beneficial to the PGA Tour if he was back, in the same way that Koepka is. 

"I think Brian Rolapp would probably think that he’s good for business, but it would require expending a lot of political capital to make that happen. And right now, I’m not necessarily sure that Brian Rolapp’s all that incentivised to do so."

For his part, Rahm has chosen his words carefully when asked his future. 

Asked directly before LIV Golf's event in Staffordshire last month whether he expects to be playing on the breakaway tour in 2027, he said: "“I'm not going to share anything that I can't share with you guys right now,”

Rahm said he remained optimistic LIV had a future and didn't rule out investing in the league with his own money.

Rahm is currently in Indianapolis ahead of LIV's season finale. 

Their planned $40m Team Championship, which was slated for 27-30 August, has been cancelled. 

ESPN  reported that the entirety of LIV's roster met with the league's prospective new investor on Tuesday as he laid out his vision for the future. 

Phil Mickelson's teammate, Brendan Steele, was among those to talk to reporters and expressed optimism. 

Sergio Garcia said "we'll see" when asked about his future. Others expressed a mixed reaction.