The walls are closing in on the current LIV Golf structure. After a judge allowed Sergio Garcia to end his contract, lawyers for Bryson DeChambeau and several other players immediately moved to find out if they can do the same. This is not just a legal inquiry; it is a signal that the league’s biggest stars are looking for the exit door.
Lawyers press for contract clarity
The legal pressure on LIV Golf intensified during Wednesday’s bankruptcy hearing. David Rumsey of Front Office Sports reported that lawyers for Harold Varner III, Matthew Wolff, Cameron Tringale, Marc Leishman, Ben An, Cam Smith, and Bryson DeChambeau all sought clarification about their current contracts. They want to know if the recent ruling for Garcia creates a precedent for the rest of the roster.
The judge overseeing the Chapter 11 case has already granted permission for LIV to reject certain player participation agreements. However, the process will not be instant. Per reports, “LIV’s motion to be able to reject certain executory contracts, including players’ participation agreements, was granted—but that process will take time to play out.” This delay only adds more tension to an already unstable situation.
The mass exit of LIV stars
LIV Golf is facing a massive talent drain that could break the league. Jon Rahm has already decided to stay away from the 2027 season. Now, the departure of Garcia leaves a massive hole in the lineup. The league is currently trying to survive Chapter 11 bankruptcy while seeking a $300 million financing package from BC Partners.
The legal strategy from the players is aggressive. Michael Cooley, the attorney for Cam Smith, made his position clear during the hearing. He stated, “I believe that rejection of the contracts would inherently accomplish precisely that, and that post-rejection, my clients and other players should be free to engage in those discussions of future plans with third parties.”
DeChambeau is the most critical piece of this puzzle. His current contract ends after the 2026. While he told Front Office Sports in January, “We are negotiating now, and hopefully we can come to a solution where it makes sense for everyone long term,” his lawyers are clearly preparing for a fight. If the league cannot keep its biggest name, the 2027 season may not happen as planned.
