Sam Burns has made his position clear on the possibility of LIV Golf stars Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau eventually returning to the PGA Tour, and his comments are likely to attract plenty of attention as golf continues to deal with the division created by the rival circuit.
Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, said he would welcome the return of Rahm, DeChambeau and other leading players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Rather than criticizing the players for their decisions, Burns emphasized that he wants the best golfers competing against one another on a regular basis.
The comments come at a particularly interesting moment for professional golf. The future direction of LIV Golf remains a major talking point, while the possibility of players returning to the PGA Tour has become increasingly realistic following Brooks Koepka’s return earlier in 2026.
For Burns, however, the issue appears to be less about taking sides in the battle between the two organizations and more about what he believes would be best for the sport.
“I think it’s best for the game of golf as a whole,” Burns said in an interview. “And ultimately that’s what I want as a competitor. You want to play against the best players every week.” �
Fox News
BURNS DOESN’T HOLD A GRUDGE
Burns’ position is notable because he was one of the players who remained with the PGA Tour when LIV Golf launched in 2022.
Although his name was briefly linked with speculation surrounding a potential move to LIV at the time, Burns ultimately stayed on the PGA Tour. Four years later, he says he does not blame the players who made the opposite decision.
Burns acknowledged that every golfer has different circumstances and reasons for making career decisions.
“I don’t blame anyone for going,” Burns said. “I think everyone has the freedom to kind of choose the path that they want to take.”
That approach separates Burns from some of the sharper criticism that has surrounded the golf split over the past several years.
Instead of portraying LIV players as enemies, Burns appears to view the situation as a complicated business and career decision. His focus remains on the competition itself and the prospect of seeing the strongest possible field assembled in one place.
RAHM AND DECHAMBEAU COULD BE PART OF THAT FUTURE
Rahm and DeChambeau are two of the biggest names associated with LIV Golf.
Rahm, a two-time major champion, joined LIV in late 2023 and became the captain of Legion XIII. DeChambeau, meanwhile, became one of LIV’s most recognizable stars after making the move in 2022 and has continued to lead Crushers GC.
Their potential return would therefore represent a significant development for the PGA Tour and professional golf as a whole.
Burns believes there could eventually be a route for players like them to return.
“Ultimately, I think there will be a path back for those guys,” he said, while acknowledging that he does not know exactly what that path will look like.
That qualification is important. Burns was not announcing that Rahm or DeChambeau are preparing to leave LIV Golf. Instead, he was expressing his belief that some form of reunification could eventually happen.
LIV’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE ADDS TO THE SPECULATION
The timing of Burns’ comments has also fueled interest.
Golf’s professional landscape remains unsettled, with questions surrounding LIV Golf’s financial structure and future direction. GolfMagic reported that Burns himself admitted he was unsure about what comes next for the league.
At the same time, the PGA Tour’s creation of a Returning Member Program for 2026 has provided a potential framework for certain players who previously left the Tour to come back.
Koepka’s return earlier this year demonstrated that the door is not necessarily permanently closed.
However, returning would not simply mean walking back onto the PGA Tour without consequences. The 2026 program included financial penalties and other restrictions for eligible returning players, meaning any future comeback would likely involve significant negotiations and conditions.
BURNS WANTS THE BEST PLAYERS TO COMPETE TOGETHER
Perhaps the most revealing part of Burns’ comments is his emphasis on competition.
For years, fans have watched major championships as some of the few occasions when PGA Tour and LIV Golf players are guaranteed to meet. While the majors continue to bring the biggest names together, regular tournaments remain divided between the two circuits.
Burns clearly sees value in changing that.
As a competitor, having Rahm, DeChambeau and other LIV stars back in PGA Tour events would mean stronger fields and more opportunities to measure himself against the very best players in the world.
That sentiment is particularly interesting considering Burns’ own rise in the game. He has established himself as one of America’s leading players and was ranked seventh in the world heading into the BMW Championship in August. He had also produced four top-five finishes in his previous six starts.
BURNS AND DECHAMBEAU HAVE ALREADY SHARED THE SPOTLIGHT
The relationship between Burns and DeChambeau has also received attention this season.
At the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, Burns and DeChambeau were paired together during the third round. Burns entered the final round as the tournament leader after shooting a 65, while DeChambeau remained in contention despite the controversial two-shot penalty he received during the second round.
Burns also defended DeChambeau during the penalty controversy, saying he felt bad for him and questioning whether there was enough evidence to justify the two-shot punishment.
That episode provided another indication that Burns’ relationship with LIV players is not necessarily defined by the PGA Tour-LIV rivalry.
THE BIGGER QUESTION FOR GOLF
Burns’ comments ultimately raise a much larger question: could professional golf eventually find a way to bring its biggest stars back together?
The answer remains uncertain.
Rahm and DeChambeau are still associated with LIV Golf, and Burns did not suggest that either player has made a decision to return. His comments were instead focused on what he would like to see happen if circumstances eventually change.
“I think ultimately you’ll see those guys back at some point,” Burns said. “As a fan of golf as well, I think it’s great for our game.”
That statement captures the heart of Burns’ position.
He is not necessarily arguing that players should abandon LIV immediately. He is saying that, from the perspective of the sport and its fans, having the best players competing together would be a positive development.
For golf fans who have spent years watching the sport’s biggest names separated by competing tours, that possibility could be significant.
Whether Rahm, DeChambeau and other LIV stars eventually find their way back to the PGA Tour remains unknown. But with Burns openly welcoming the idea, the conversation about professional golf’s future has gained another prominent voice.
