'I'm Unemployed': Westwood and Rahm Face a Murky 2027 Amid LIV Limbo

Golf's civil war still doesn't have an ending, and two of its biggest names just said so out loud. Lee Westwood described himself as "currently unemployed," and Jon Rahm continues to dodge questions about his 2027 plans, as LIV Golf tries to relaunch without the Saudi funding that built it and any prospect of a PGA Tour deal fades further.

Westwood: 'Currently Unemployed'

Speaking on The Chipping Forecast podcast, Westwood didn't sugarcoat his situation. "I'm currently unemployed," the former world No. 1 and two-time Masters runner-up said, explaining that he has left LIV Golf and has not signed on to whatever comes next from the league, commonly referred to as "LIV 2.0." He also said he hasn't had meaningful dialogue with the DP World Tour about a return.

That matters because of a looming deadline: LIV players, Westwood included, have until November 16, 2026, to reapply for DP World Tour membership. Rejoining comes at a cost — a 10-tournament suspension for anyone coming back from LIV. Westwood is one of several prominent British players, alongside Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton, who have already exited LIV as the league's roster shrinks.

Rahm's Unclear 2027 Future

Jon Rahm's situation is murkier still. The two-time major champion has repeatedly declined to commit to LIV beyond the current season, telling reporters in September simply that "time will tell." More recent reporting says Rahm has rejected the terms LIV offered for its next phase and that his camp is discussing a separation agreement with the league, which he joined on a reported nine-figure contract in late 2023.

There is one piece of good news for Rahm regardless of where he ends up: he resolved a long-running fines dispute with the DP World Tour in May 2026, paying off outstanding penalties in exchange for restored eligibility. That deal preserves his place on Team Europe for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, a tournament Rahm has said he's determined to play regardless of how the LIV situation shakes out.

The LIV-PGA Standoff

Looming over both players is the bigger picture: there is no merger coming. PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp told Bloomberg in August 2026 that talks between the Tour and LIV's Saudi-backed ownership have gone nowhere. "There's no merger, no conversations, we've been really concentrated on the PGA Tour," he said, closing the door on years of on-again, off-again framework-agreement talk that dates back to 2023.

Making matters more complicated for LIV, reports indicate Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has pulled back direct funding as the league shifts to its "LIV 2.0" format, leaving the circuit's long-term financial footing in question even as it tries to retain and recruit players.

What's Next for LIV's Stars

For players like Westwood and Rahm, the practical choice now is where to play golf at all next year — a question that didn't exist when LIV launched with guaranteed money and no shortage of structure. With the DP World Tour deadline approaching and no PGA Tour pathway in sight for anyone still under a LIV contract, several marquee names are left negotiating their own way out, one exit at a time.

For more on the players who've already left the league, see our coverage of the LIV Golf exodus and Ryder Cup 2027 preparations. New to how a round is actually scored? See our golf scoring terms explained. Follow the rest of the fallout in our golf coverage.

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