Fans had strong reactions after Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton shared their thoughts on Patrick Reed leaving the LIV Golf League, with many saying the duo sounded disappointed by the situation.

Speaking ahead of the opening event of the 2026 LIV Golf season in Riyadh, both Rahm and Hatton made it clear they respected Reed’s decision to move on and pursue a return to the PGA Tour. Rahm said:

“I think each one is going to do whatever he thinks is best for them. At this point I just wish him nothing but the best of luck. Hopefully it all goes well.

“We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be. And he’s made his choice obviously. Nothing really against him. He’s been playing fantastic golf and if he wants to go back, he should have the chance to do so.”

While Jon Rahm had the option to return to the PGA Tour through the Returning Member Program, he has chosen to stay with LIV. Unlike Reed and Brooks Koepka, Rahm is still under contract and would likely need to give up a large sum to leave early.

Hatton echoed a similar message, saying:

“I don’t really have too much more to add on that other than he was out of contract and he had options and decided that for him to move forward that he wanted to go back and play on the PGA TOUR. That’s his choice.

 After the comments were shared by Flushing It Golf on X, fans quickly weighed in. One user wrote:

“They all sound so defeated.”

Another defended LIV Golf, saying:

“It’s interesting how the PGA players constantly think about the LIV players and try to take shots but the LIV guys just rise above it. I think that says a lot.”

A different fan agreed with Rahm and Hatton’s tone, posting:

“This ! … is the way ALL pro golfers should talk about ANY PRO GOLFER going to PGAT or LIV or DP or any pro tours …LIV players showing the pro golf world how to represent other pro golfers decisions!”

Not everyone was convinced by Jon Rahm’s comments about freedom of choice. One user replied:

“But you’re not free to play were you want, you must do as your told by Liv & the PGA don’t want you right now & now the DPWT are going to tell you some of the events you must play So much for freedom”

Another criticized LIV’s travel demands, writing:

“They wouldn’t dare speak how terrible the travel schedule is on LIV Golf or why Rahm basically stopped traveling to save his marriage”

Reed’s exit came just days after he won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour, where he admitted he was still discussing his future with LIV. Shortly after, he confirmed he would not renew his contract and plans to work his way back to the PGA Tour.

With both Reed and Koepka now gone, questions remain about who will take Reed’s spot on Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC heading into the new season.

Jon Rahm backs DP World Tour’s possible move to ease LIV Golf fines

Jon Rahm has welcomed reports suggesting the DP World Tour may soon stop issuing fines to players who compete in LIV Golf events.

While the full details have not been made public, updates shared by Flushing It and Sports Illustrated indicate that the Tour is moving toward easing its long-standing penalties starting this season. Speaking ahead of LIV Golf’s opening event in Riyadh, Rahm said discussions are clearly underway, even if players are not yet fully aware of how things will play out.

“I personally would say I don’t know too much about the matter. Obviously, I think at first, managers are going to be taking care of that early on. I don’t know what the negotiations look like. Obviously, they’re going to players individually to make different deals.

I don’t know what it may be or what it’s going to look like, but I’m happy to see that looking for a path forward for LIV players to be able to play on both tours and not to get penalized,” Rahm said.

Since LIV Golf launched in 2022, the DP World Tour has fined members who took part in conflicting events, a policy that was later upheld through arbitration. Rahm has previously shared that his fines have climbed to around $3 million since joining LIV in late 2023. He and fellow LIV player Tyrrell Hatton are still waiting on the outcome of an appeal filed last year.

Despite the uncertainty, both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were allowed to compete in the most recent Ryder Cup, though questions remain about future eligibility.

Reports also suggest LIV Golf will no longer cover fines for players moving forward. At the same time, negotiations may include clearing or reducing past penalties, with players needing to request releases for schedule clashes. The DP World Tour could also require LIV golfers to commit to certain DP World Tour events as part of the arrangement.

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