Is this the beginning of the end for LIV Golf?

If LIV does fold, the routes back to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour are varied. Returning to either tour requires eating a slice of humble pie and, for some, paying a fortune to sweeten the deal. LIV's credibility as a major force capable of challenging the long-established tours was underpinned by signing several huge names on multi-million deals.

Persuading major champions at the peak of their powers - Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau - was complemented by the additions of European titans Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. In 2023, there was an even bigger statement. Rahm - then the Masters champion and fresh from helping Europe win the Ryder Cup - was lured over.

A year later, Tyrrell Hatton followed suit. In February, Rahm, Smith and DeChambeau turned down a one-time opportunity to apply for reinstatement to the PGA Tour under its 'Returning Member Programme', which was facilitated for those who had won a major - or The Players Championship - since 2022. Five-time major winner Koepka was the only player to take up the offer and smoothed his return by paying fines said to be worth about £63m.

It remains unclear if LIV's potential demise would see that path reopened, and what terms might be issued. Shortly after Koepka's decision, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, who did not fulfil the criteria, also decided to leave LIV. Reed has been playing on the DP World Tour this year - winning two tournaments and leading the Race to Dubai seasonal standings - while knowing he can return to the PGA Tour in 2027 once a year has passed since his last LIV appearance.