LIV Bankruptcy Creditor List Shows Millions Owed to Top Players

LIV Golf's Chapter 11 filing includes a creditor list showing several of its top players are owed millions of dollars under their contracts, with Jon Rahm's standing atop the list and his free agency now tied to the bankruptcy proceedings.

How much does LIV Golf owe its players?

LIV filed for Chapter 11 protection on Sept. 8 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, listing assets of $100 million to $500 million and liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion spread across as many as 5,000 creditors. Rahm tops the list of players owed money, followed by DeChambeau, Johnson, Smith, Meronk and Hatton rounding out the top six.

LIV disputes some of the amounts. DeChambeau's claim is flagged as contingent, meaning the tour says it may not owe the money depending on what happens next, while Johnson's claim is flagged contingent, unliquidated and disputed.

What does the bankruptcy mean for Jon Rahm?

Rahm's LIV contract terms have not been made public, but he told the BBC on Sept. 8, ahead of the Irish Open, that he still considers himself bound to fulfill his existing deal. Asked where he would play in 2027, Rahm said a decision was still to come.

It's one of those things with time, time's going to tell.

DeChambeau's contract, unlike Rahm's, has already expired. He has been involved in shaping LIV's restructuring alongside CEO Scott O'Neil and has reportedly led player-only meetings in recent months. The Financial Times reported LIV offered players settlements on their contracts before the bankruptcy filing, meaning both Rahm and DeChambeau could ultimately be owed money outside of new agreements with a restructured league.

What happens next in the restructuring?

LIV says Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which is withdrawing its financial backing after the 2026 season, has agreed to provide $49.6 million in debtor-in-possession financing, subject to court approval. New investor BC Partners and other minority investors are expected to provide exit financing once LIV emerges from Chapter 11, with a slimmed-down 2027 season of 10 events planned, down from 14. LIV is aiming to complete the process and begin its new player-ownership structure in early 2027, though the plan still requires court and stakeholder approval.