It is human nature to be afraid of something you don’t know. When LIV Golf first came around in 2022, it was an alien entity challenging established names like the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. It was a threat to the traditional methods put in place over decades, pulling away all the big stars that made the American and European tours the highly competitive circuits that they were. But as Rory McIlroy recently stated, “the threat is over.” It more or less is.

After filing for bankruptcy last month that also included a clause of rejecting outstanding player contracts, followed by the New Jersey court’s response to allow the latter, LIV players now have all the freedom to search for another home, despite a LIV 2.0 set to begin next year. But they are no longer sure if they still have a home to begin with. Justin Rose, who was one of the early targets for LIV Golf four years ago, has a reassuring answer for them.

“[Rahm’s departure] is good for the established tours, whether that be the DP World Tour in the short term or the PGA Tour in the long term,” Justin Rose told The Mirror. “Obviously, Jon’s not the only one.

“There’s a lot of other great players in situations that he’s found himself in. It’s been an experiment; a whirlwind four or five years. No hard feelings from my point of view. Everyone is welcome back.”

LIV Golf made its intentions clear from the start, pulling some of the PGA Tour’s biggest names into its new circuit in 2022. Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were among the major champions who made the jump. But after the breakaway league lost millions of dollars in just three years, everyone’s gamble that relied almost completely on those big bucks came to an end. That, however, fits right into what the established tours have been waiting for.

Although DP World Tour gave an ultimatum to the returning players to choose one boat, it has also incurred losses in recent years. Bringing superstar players back would mean more engagement and more return on investment. The PGA Tour had also aspired to do the same when it tried joining hands with LIV Golf, something that never came around. But now that the players have no better option but to return, things become more interesting. Rose agreed too.

“It’s great for golf for players to be able to play against the best players in the world as often as we can. That’s what we’ve always talked about and always wanted. And I think the disruption of it all, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, have had to become better versions of themselves.

“I think basically pretty much every player in the game has benefited one way or another, and hopefully it can now settle and we can find a really good balance.”

He won’t be wrong to confess that.

Players like Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Jon Rahm, who left for the bigger checks and slower schedule, earned plenty over their four-to-five years with LIV. Meanwhile, those who stayed, like Rory McIlroy and Rose, saw the PGA Tour also improve their contracts for them.

No doubt, everything did improve. Now, the question is whether it will sustain.

LIV players separate themselves from the breakaway league as McIlroy, others remain divided over their returns

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson also left the PGA Tour, giving LIV a roster packed with proven winners and Ryder Cup stars. But the DP World Tour recently issued an ultimatum to LIV players.

They warned the players that signing with LIV 2.0 would mean permanent departure from the European circuit. While LIV’s attorney told the bankruptcy judge that it’s an attempt by the DP World Tour to interfere with their restructuring, LIV Golf continues to lose players at a staggering rate. 

Following Jon Rahm’s move, Sergio Garcia also approached the bankruptcy court seeking a ruling on his contract with the league, prompting LIV Golf to release him from his deal. Other players, including David Puig, Abraham Ancer, Charles Howell III, Adrian Meronk, and Cameron Smith, have also exited the breakaway league. This whole process was further catalyzed when a bankruptcy court judge recently approved LIV Golf’s decision to terminate the contracts of 18 players, including Bryson DeChambeau. 

This mass exodus also suggests that the DP World Tour could see a flood of players returning. Meanwhile, the breakaway league now has until October 25 to sign enough players to secure a $300 million investment from BC Partners, which would help keep it afloat for the 2027 season. Regardless, Justin Rose isn’t the only one to welcome players back to the established tours.

Rory McIlroy recently told Bloomberg in an interview that, if he had a vote, he would support bringing LIV players back to the established tours, arguing that it would be good for business.

Similarly, Patrick Reed, who left LIV Golf in January and currently leads the Race to Dubai standings, has said he feels welcomed by both the DP World Tour and its players. However, not everyone is in favor of welcoming LIV Golf returnees back so easily.

Joost Luiten has called on the tour to make the path back significantly more difficult for returning LIV Golf players.

He even suggested that they should all go through Q-School to earn their tour cards. However, the DP World Tour may not grant every returning player immediate access to its events. Someone like Jon Rahm, who has already paid his fines and remains a member, could be in a different position. Others may have to settle their outstanding fines and compete in smaller events before regaining full access to the tour’s biggest tournaments.

In just a matter of weeks, we will have a clearer picture of what everyone’s futures look like. For now, it is clear that most believe bringing players back would only help the sport grow.