DP World Tour explores re-entry terms as LIV Golf seeks bankruptcy protection
The DP World Tour says it has received many inquiries from LIV Golf players and is reviewing conditions for their return, while LIV Golf files for US bankruptcy protection and plans a restructured LIV 2.0.
The DP World Tour announced that it has received a "high volume" of interest from players who wish to leave the breakaway LIV Golf league, which filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States on Tuesday. The tour said it is examining the terms under which it could admit former LIV members, provided they are free of third-party contractual restrictions and agree to follow its membership rules. "Our tournament committee has approved the process we intend to follow and we expect further enquiries in the days ahead," a DP World Tour spokesperson said.
LIV Golf, which owes at least $45 million to 14 current and former players, is planning to restructure its operations for a "new era" next year. Court filings estimate LIV's assets between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities from $500 million to $1 billion. The organization aims to launch LIV 2.0 on a more sustainable business model, with prize funds around £7 million and expanded fields, but it remains unclear how many players will stay.
Some LIV players already have exemptions to compete on the DP World Tour, and nine, including Jon Rahm, secured conditional releases that allowed dual participation, reportedly involving fines and minimum event commitments. Brooks Koepka left LIV in December 2025 and rejoined the PGA Tour in 2026 after a $5 million charitable donation and forfeiting certain tour benefits. In contrast, Patrick Reed did not meet the PGA Tour's returning-member criteria and will need to earn his place through the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai top-10 rankings.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp indicated there are currently no plans to restart the returning-member programme, suggesting Reed's route may become the standard path for other former LIV players. The DP World Tour has been told that players with exempt status can apply for membership, though the tour will consider the future shape of LIV before making final decisions. Players without exempt status would need to be free of LIV contracts to be eligible.
LIV Golf's proposed LIV 2.0 would feature larger fields, Monday qualifying, and halfway cuts while retaining a team component, but its ability to attract top talent and secure necessary investment remains uncertain. Rahm has said he intends to fulfill his existing LIV contract but has not committed to the new iteration, and analysts note that the tour will need a strong roster to attract funding.