Jon Rahm could be set to leave LIV Golf, pay massive penalties to return to PGA Tour in matter of weeks

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has remained adamant that the breakaway tour will continue in 2027 and beyond, even without the support of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, remaining a top competitor for the PGA Tour.

But for that to be the case, it seems O'Neil and LIV will likely have to do it without one of their best players and biggest draws.

While some players have expressed support for LIV, whatever it winds up being, or at least no desire to return to the PGA Tour, others have acknowledged that the path forward is unclear.

Ian Poulter, one of the first to leave for LIV, even recently stated that time might "run out" for the tour to replace their funding for 2027.

Their team championship event in Michigan was officially canceled, too, after weeks of rumors.

And now it seems the wait for the other shoe to drop is coming to an end as well.

JON RAHM'S REPORTED EXIT FROM LIV GOLF WOULD POSE DEVASTATION TO BREAKAWAY CIRCUIT AMID UNCERTAINTIES One new report from the "Tee Times Pub" account on X has said that LIV star Jon Rahm has made a deal to return to the PGA Tour in a matter of weeks.

With some heavy financial penalties and other "punishments" attached.

Their post says that Rahm will have to pay a "$25 million fine," which would be donated to charity, along with going on an "apology tour." That "apology tour" would reportedly involve "announcing his separation from LIV Golf and a return to 'traditional golf.'" He would also not be able to play in the PGA's high-purse "Signature events," unless he "plays his way into them." That would mean no sponsor exemptions, despite the increased ratings and interest Rahm would bring to those events.

PGA TOUR CEO SHARES JARRING COMMENTS ABOUT PLAYERS RETURNING AS LIV GOLF SAUDI FUNDING DISAPPEARS All of these terms seem close enough to realistic, and the PGA Tour would obviously want Rahm back in the fold, competing against Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

But others have contradicted the Tee Times account, particularly Joel Beall from Golf Digest.

Beall posted in response "that reports about Jon Rahm striking a deal to return to the PGA Tour are inaccurate/premature at this point." The Tee Times account then added some more context in response, saying that "it's believed to be an agreement reached between parties, though it can't be formalized because Rahm is still under contract with LIV.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM "The PGAT certainly can't approach him to have these discussions (see: potential tortious interference), and he could be taking further financial risks by approaching them.