The demise of LIV Golf has already seen some of its biggest names leave in the form of Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed and more look set to follow.
The decision from the Saudi Arabian PIF to withdraw funding from the breakaway league left its future in jeopardy; while the tour looks set to continue into 2027, it will likely operate with significantly lowered prize pools and a shortened season.
It looks a less enticing prospect by the week and the likes of Rahm, who was reportedly paid around $500m for his initial move, aren't expected to stay on LIV next year.
Recent reports state that Rahm has already agreed a deal with the PGA Tour to return in 2027, but with a number of provisos.
When Koepka made his return, it came with penalty fees and a restriction from Signature Events (unless playing his way into them) and Rahm will likely be offered a similar deal.
The Telegraph reported that LIV fears that Rahm is planning his exit, but the red carpet is unlikely to be rolled out for the Spaniard. Rahm was one of four players alongside Koepka, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau, offered a pathway back to the PGA Tour last year, and he'll likely be offered similar terms.
Should Rahm return, the expectation is he'll be excluded from Signature Events unless he plays his way onto them, meaning he'd start his season at the American Express, an event he won in 2023 before moving onto Torrey Pines, where he won in 2017.
If Rahm fails to qualify for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he could then head to the Phoenix Open where he's never finished worse than T16 in eight outings.
Of course, Rahm's game is in much better state than Koepka's was, and the two-time major winner would fancy his chances of quickly breaking into the Signature Events.
