Akshay Bhatia’s decision to turn down a lucrative offer from LIV Golf underlines the league’s ongoing problems in securing top talent as questions remain about television’s popularity.Multiple sources confirmed to GolfChannel.com that Bhatia had rejected the Saudi-backed circuit’s proposal, a significant setback for a league that has not secured a major signing in more than two years. The two-time PGA Tour winner has reached the Tour Championship in each of the past two seasons, finishing 2025 ranked 46th in the world. Had he joined, Bhatia would have been LIV Golf’s most high-profile signing since Jon Rahm left the PGA Tour in December 2023.
Instead, LIV’s most recent signings have continued to fall in the world rankings. Victor Perez joined in November at No. 122, followed by Laurie Canter in December after achieving PGA Tour status via the DP World Tour; Canter was ranked 63rd at the time of his move. While solid professionals, neither move moved the competitive or commercial needle for a league still searching for relevance among fans and broadcasters.
Rahm, who was ranked third in the world when he joined LIV, remains the circuit’s latest blockbuster signing. Since then, LIV has struggled to attract players who can move TV ratings or attract sustained attention, a challenge exacerbated by fragmented broadcast distribution and modest ratings compared to the PGA Tour.
Bhatia’s rejection also comes at a difficult time for LIV Golf, following reports in December that Brooks Koepka had “amicably” parted ways with the league, further thinning the list of household names.
With the new season kicking off in Saudi Arabia next month, LIV Golf continues to strive for legitimacy and audience growth. Goals are made harder every time a rising star like Bhatia chooses to stay away.
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