A Historic Stumble at Wentworth
Jon Rahm just produced a performance at the BMW PGA Championship that no one saw coming. The Spanish two-time major champion missed the cut in a way that has golf fans talking about his entire career path. According to GolfMagic, Rahm opened with a 6-over 78 on the West Course and followed it with a 5-over 77 on Friday. Among 253 professional events, his 36-hole total of 155 remains the poorest score he has recorded. That is a number no one wants to see attached to a player of his caliber. The 31-year-old found himself dead last on the leaderboard sitting at 11-over par. Rahm began at hole 9 alongside Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, his Ryder Cup teammates, tallying two pars before his game fell apart. He missed the green long on the par-4 11th and ended up in a bunker with his third shot. He trudged off the green after carding a six.
Back-to-back bogeys followed immediately. After leveling par over the next five holes, Rahm took two additional strokes at holes 2 and 3. At the 4th hole, his third weekly birdie came, yet the final four holes he shot 1-over. This collapse comes at the worst possible time for the LIV Golf star. Rahm’s result comes as intense debate continues regarding his professional golf venue in 2027. In December 2023, after leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, he claimed three individual titles on that breakaway circuit. Reports say this move saw him pocket north of $300m. Yet, the financial landscape for his current league is crumbling fast.
Financial Turmoil Behind the Scenes
The backdrop to this poor performance is a league in crisis. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) terminated financial backing for LIV in April. A PIF official declared that the massive funding needed for LIV no longer aligned with their strategy. Conditions deteriorated to the point where LIV dismissed most staff last month and declared bankruptcy on 8 September. Jon Rahm has stayed silent about future plans, though pressure is increasing. Rumors suggest the 2023 Masters champion wants to leave LIV. His preferred destination appears to be a return to the PGA Tour. This potential shift changes everything for the competitive landscape. Golf Monthly recently discussed how expensive equipment and smart investments can change a game, but no bag or shoe can fix a career decision that might be coming undone.
While Rahm struggles with his game, the business side of his current league is falling apart. The $300m payout that secured his future now looks like a trap. With the league filing for bankruptcy and cutting staff, the stability he sought is gone. The rumors of an exit are not just gossip; they are a logical response to a broken business model. Golfers need to look at their long-term plans, just as experts advise investing in shoes and a bed to look after feet and back. Rahm’s feet might be on solid ground, but his career path is suddenly very shaky. The contrast between his historic score at Wentworth and the historic failure of his league is stark.
If Rahm does leave LIV, the ripple effects will be massive. Missing the cut as the most prominent player at the BMW PGA Championship, his departure would signal a major power shift. The PGA Tour would regain one of its biggest stars, while LIV loses its marquee player. This situation highlights how quickly fortunes can change in professional golf. A player can win three titles and secure a massive contract, only to find the league that paid him bankrupt within a year. The mental toll of playing in a dying league while trying to perform at a major championship is immense. Rahm’s game showed signs of life with that birdie at the 4th, but the overall result was a disaster.
For the average golfer watching from the fairway, this story serves as a reminder that the game is about more than just swing mechanics. It is about where you play and who you play against. The rumors suggest Rahm is looking for a way out, but nothing is confirmed yet. The next concrete step will be watching for an official announcement regarding his status for the 2027 season. Until then, the speculation will continue to swirl around the Spanish star. The BMW PGA Championship was supposed to be a showcase, but instead, it became a spotlight on a player in transition.
The Road Ahead
The golf world waits to see if Rahm will make a move. The bankruptcy filing on 8 September by LIV Golf changes the context for every player on the roster. If the league cannot fund itself, the contracts become less secure. Rahm’s tight-lipped approach suggests he is weighing his options carefully. The next scheduled event to watch will be the upcoming DP World Tour announcements regarding player eligibility for future seasons.
