Jon Rahm's LIV Golf Future Reportedly In Doubt Years After Landing 9-Figure Contract

Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed have already left LIV Golf, and Jon Rahm may be the next headliner to do so.

James Corrigan of The Telegraph reported Thursday that LIV sources "are almost resigned" to his eventual exit in a move that could make it even more difficult for the league "to secure the necessary finance to keep the show running into next season and beyond."

Corrigan noted "the DP World Tour has already been primed about his intentions" with Rahm not pleased with LIV's new direction that could feature just 10 events a season with smaller purses.

As for the rest of Rahm's nine-figure contract he agreed to with LIV, it could still be honored in part via an agreement. It could also go to Rahm as equity in LIV 2.0.

This comes after Gabby Herzig of The Athletic reported Wednesday the DP World Tour was notifying LIV golfers it plans to reimpose significant fines and suspensions through its conflicting events rule.

Eight LIV golfers were given conditional releases to participate in DP World Tour events this year without such fines or suspensions. While Rahm wasn't one of those eight, he did strike his own deal in May.

However, the potential LIV 2.0 model that will give players the chance to hold equity in the league with fewer events and smaller purses could be an issue for the DP World Tour if golfers prioritize LIV.

Rahm's potential exit would be quite a blow for LIV, which is already facing a tenuous future.

While the breakaway league initially generated plenty of headlines with players such as Rahm, Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith leaving the PGA Tour to join the fold, its momentum has completely stalled.

There hasn't been much starpower since that initial wave to join the league, and Koepka and Reed are now gone. A Rahm departure would leave DeChambeau as arguably the only name remaining that would generate significant interest from casual fans.

What's more, the PGA Tour is enjoying some of its best ratings in decades.

Financially, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that financed the league at its start is no longer there after pulling back. LIV CEO Scott O'Neil revealed the league has a lead investor, but the $250 and $300 million it was seeking wouldn't stretch as far as the previous billions from the PIF.

With significant player contracts still on the books and events with purses in the tens of millions, it is fair to wonder about the financial future of the league even with a new investor.

Kopeka was the last major departure when he returned to the PGA Tour in January.

He agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution and to forfeit potential equity in the PGA Tour's Player Equity Program for five years as part of the Returning Member Program.