Stranded LIV Golfers left in the cold by PGA Tour as commissioner takes robust stance on their lucrative return

The PGA Tour is not going to lower its drawbridge to the stranded golfers of LIV any time soon.If the likes of Jon Rahm were hoping for a sweetheart deal in the style of one taken by Brooks Koepka earlier this year, he will have been left disappointed by the robust stance taken by the tour commissioner Brian Rolapp on Tuesday.Unlike Koepka, who jumped ship in January, Rahm, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau all rejected the opportunity to return eight months ago and Rolapp has made it clear that will be no repeat of the offer in the wake of LIV filing for bankruptcy.In outlining the PGA Tour’s position, Rolapp said: ‘In terms of where we are today, we are not currently contemplating a returning-member program like the one you saw in January. Everyone at the PGA Tour, myself included, has been focused on what is best for the organisation.’Unless the word ‘currently’ serves as a precursor to a U-turn, it would seem that any LIV rebels will have a limited choice if they are to find a way back to the sport’s prime tour. Under the PGA Tour’s existing rules, that would mean a minimum wait of 12 months since their last LIV start and most likely needing to qualify via the DP World Tour. American star Bryson DeChambeau is among the LIV Golf stars pondering his next move PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp took a robust stance on defectors coming back to the main tour Jon Rahm may have to wait a minimum of 12 months and qualify via the DP World TourAs a member of the European-based circuit, Rahm is expected to take that option, with the understanding that LIV’s bankruptcy will allow him to escape the remaining years of his contract on the breakaway league. He is playing this week at the BMW Championship at Wentworth and indicated on Tuesday that it might be November before there is any clarity on his future.’Nothing’s changed,’ he said. ‘There’s a long legal process they have to go through before a lot of things fall into place. I really can’t give you an answer right now.’Hopefully I’ll play good this week, and at the end of the year, whether we play in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or elsewhere, so until this current season is done (in November), I really won’t be able to give you an answer.’