Leaked PGA Tour memo hints at final decision of Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith

A leaked memo sent to PGA Tour members has suggested Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith won't be tempted to quit LIV Golf on the eve of the league's fourth season. 

All three players are eligible to return to the American circuit via the "returning members programme" which closes on 2 February. 

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka took advantage of the new scheme earlier in the month and is making his comeback this week at the Farmers Insurance Open. 

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed wasn't eligible for the programme as it was only open to winners of a major championship or The Players Championship since 2022. 

But he will be able to return to the PGA Tour from August and compete in 2027 out of the past champion category. 

There has been a renewed focus on Rahm, Smith and DeChambeau in light of Reed's decision to return to the PGA Tour. 

Some current PGA Tour golfers have claimed the "dominoes are starting to fall" and some players are realising the "grass wasn't greener". 

But a memo obtained by Dan Rapaport has revealed the PGA Tour is not expecting DeChambeau, Rahm and Smith to change their minds. 

"We expect Brooks Koepka will be the only player rejoining the Tour through the returning member programme," the memo stated. 

The memo was written by Tyler Tennis, the chief competitions officer, and Jason Gore, the chief player officer. 

The letter also revealed three more players - Hudson Swafford, Kevin Na and Pat Perez - have had their PGA Tour memberships reinstated. 

But they will return at different times. 

Swafford and Perez will be eligible for PGA Tour-sanctioned competition from 1 January 2027 whilst Na's fate is yet to be determined. 

Na was among the first players to be recruited by LIV in 2022 and was the captain of the Iron Heads. 

Over the winter, the team re-branded to Korean Golf Club with PGA Tour veteran Ben An replacing Na as team captain. 

Na wasn't among the 11 players that sued the PGA Tour in 2022, but he is still facing disciplinary action for "outstanding violations of the regulations". 

Read the full memo here:

What have the players said?

LIV Golf recently held a media week to promote their fourth full campaign that gets underway next week in Riyadh. 

Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith were quizzed on Koepka's decision to quit the league. 

DeChambeau got tongues wagging after he posed next to an exit sign after Koepka's departure was confirmed. 

"I had no idea, no idea that that would happen," said DeChambeau. 

"No idea what the penalties would even be. Right now, I've got a contract. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do at LIV Golf this year."

Rahm said: "I'm not planning on going anywhere, so very similar answer to what Bryson gave.

"I wish Brooks the best and as far as I'm concerned, I'm focused on LIV for this year and hoping my team can repeat as champs."

Smith said: "I made a decision to come out here and spend more time at home and I'm not giving that away. I will be on LIV for the years to come."