Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith have all confirmed they will remain with LIV Golf, turning down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour despite a newly created pathway for former members.

The trio — all recent major champions — were the only LIV Golf players eligible to rejoin the PGA Tour under a one-time returning member programme announced earlier this month. However, each has now made clear they intend to stay with the Saudi-backed circuit.

Their decision comes shortly after five-time major winner Brooks Koepka was granted permission to return to the PGA Tour, having cited family priorities for leaving LIV.

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PGA Tour Opens Door — But Trio Declines

The PGA Tour introduced a limited eligibility window, open until 2 February, allowing select former members to return for the 2026 season.

To qualify, players had to:

• Have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years
• Have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022 and 2025

Only Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith met those criteria.

However, speaking at a LIV Golf captains’ press conference, all three ruled out a return.

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Rahm: ‘Not Planning to Go Anywhere’

Spain’s Jon Rahm, winner of the 2023 Masters, said he wished Koepka well but made it clear his future lies elsewhere.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on LIV for this year and hoping my team can repeat as champs,” said the 31-year-old.

Rahm joined LIV Golf in late 2023 in one of the most high-profile moves in the sport’s ongoing divide.

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DeChambeau and Smith Point to Stability and Commitment

Bryson DeChambeau, who claimed the 2024 US Open, said contractual obligations and enthusiasm for the season made his position clear.

“I’m contracted through 2026 and I’m so excited about this year,” said the American.

Australia’s Cam Smith, winner of the 2022 Open Championship, echoed that sentiment.

“I’ve made a decision and I’ll be on LIV for years to come,” added the 32-year-old.

Both players have been central figures in LIV Golf’s growth and team-based format since joining.

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Mickelson and Others Ineligible

While speculation has surrounded a broader reconciliation between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, eligibility for the return programme was tightly restricted.

Phil Mickelson, a six-time major champion, was not eligible because his most recent major victory came at the 2021 US PGA Championship, outside the qualifying window.

No other LIV Golf players met the criteria, making this a uniquely narrow opportunity.

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PGA Tour: ‘A One-Time Window’

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp stressed that the programme was created under exceptional circumstances and would not be repeated.

“This is a one-time, defined window and does not set a precedent for future situations,” Rolapp wrote in an open letter.

“Once the door closes, there is no promise that this path will be available again.”

The statement underlined the Tour’s firm stance as negotiations between golf’s major stakeholders continue behind the scenes.

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What This Means for the Men’s Game

The decisions of Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith signal:

• Continued elite strength within LIV Golf
• Ongoing fragmentation at the top of men’s professional golf
• Fewer opportunities for regular PGA Tour–LIV crossover outside the majors

While Koepka’s return hinted at a potential thaw, this latest development suggests the divide — at least for now — remains firmly in place.