Tranlate this title Kevin Kisner predicts what PGA Tour boss will do with Jon Rahm after LIV Golf exit in spanish

Former PGA Tour winner Kevin Kisner believes Jon Rahm may have to earn his way back onto the American circuit despite recently confirming his departure from LIV Golf.

The 31-year-old Spaniard has decided not to participate in LIV Golf’s proposed 2027 relaunch, ending his three-year spell with the Saudi-backed league.

Rahm’s departure has raised questions about his next career move, with many expecting the two-time Grand Slam champion to return to the PGA Tour at some point.

However, Kisner is not convinced that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp will make things easy for the former world No. 1.

Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, the four-time PGA Tour winner said that Rahm had already received an opportunity to return earlier this year but decided to remain with LIV Golf.

«I had this discussion at lunch today with some fellow tour players I played with this morning, and everyone’s all over the place on it. Nobody really knows,» Kisner said.

«My personal stance is Rolapp’s going to stick to his guns and be like, I gave you an opportunity to come back. I gave you a pathway in the off-season. You elected not to take it. Now go earn your way back onto our tour.»

The American also mentioned the possibility of Rahm competing on the DP World Tour and trying to secure PGA Tour membership through his results on the European circuit.

Kisner, who now works as an NBC Sports analyst alongside his playing career, has spoken quite often about the situation involving LIV golfers and their possible return to the PGA Tour.

His latest prediction arrives shortly after Rahm reached an agreement to leave LIV Golf, giving up more than $100 million in remaining contractual payments.

The Spaniard also agreed to give up a claim of approximately $7.5 million owed by the league as part of the separation agreement.

Rahm previously rejected PGA Tour return

In January, the PGA Tour introduced its Returning Member Program, allowing certain former members who joined LIV Golf to return under special conditions.

Brooks Koepka became the first golfer to use the program after ending his relationship with LIV Golf in December 2025.

The five-time Grand Slam champion accepted several financial conditions, including a $5 million charitable contribution and restrictions on receiving certain PGA Tour payments.

Returning players were also required to give up access to the PGA Tour’s player equity program for five years.

Koepka subsequently returned to competition at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January.

Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith were among the golfers who also qualified for the program, but none accepted the opportunity before the February 2 deadline.

At the time, the Spanish golfer was quite clear about his intentions.

«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,» Rahm said in January.

The former Masters champion had enjoyed considerable success after joining LIV Golf in December 2023.

He won the league’s individual championship in all three of his seasons and captained Legion XIII, one of the competition’s most successful teams.

However, LIV Golf’s financial situation changed significantly during 2026 after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to stop financing the competition.

The league subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and started working on a proposed new format for 2027.

Earlier this month, Rahm’s lawyer John Beck confirmed that the Spaniard would not continue with LIV Golf under the proposed conditions.

«Mr. Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0,» Beck said during a bankruptcy hearing.

What is next for Rahm?

Although his PGA Tour future remains uncertain, the experienced Spaniard already has plans to compete on the DP World Tour before the end of 2026.

Rahm has entered the Abu Dhabi Championship, scheduled for November 5-8 at Yas Links.

The tournament will also feature Rory McIlroy and several other familiar names competing in the closing stages of the European season.

The 2023 Masters winner has maintained his DP World Tour membership despite spending the last three seasons with LIV Golf.

There could also be a way for the 31-year-old to regain PGA Tour status by finishing among the leading eligible players on the DP World Tour’s season-long rankings in 2027.

The ten leading eligible players on the European circuit can earn PGA Tour cards for the following season under the existing pathway.

However, there is no guarantee that the PGA will reopen its Returning Member Program.

Rolapp stressed in January that the special arrangement was intended for the 2026 season and that players should not expect the same opportunity in future years.

The PGA Tour boss said at the time: «Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again.»

Rahm will now focus on his next appearance in Abu Dhabi, while the question of his PGA Tour membership remains unanswered. His plans for the 2027 season have not yet been fully confirmed.