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It’s no secret that LIV Golf is looking to add some of the best talents in professional golf to its roster. While the PIF-backed league already has some big names who will be playing in the league next year, it’s reported that they were looking to sign 2-time PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia.

A report from Rex Hoggard suggested that LIV Golf offered a lucrative deal to Bhatia. However, the 23-year-old professional golfer rejected the deal to remain with the PGA Tour. While Bhatia’s reported decision received mixed reactions from fans on social media, he was lauded by 1-time PGA Tour winner Michael Kim.

On X, Kim reposted a tweet by NUCLR Golf, which contained details of Akshay Bhatia rejecting LIV’s lucrative deal. Appreciating Bhatia, Kim wrote:

“It’s very cool seeing younger guys say no to the upfront money to chase more career goals. I obviously understand it from the other side as well but it’s one thing to talk about it, another to say no to a big check that’s right in front of you.”

You can check what Michael Kim wrote in the tweet below:

It’s worth noting that this alleged rejection from Akshay Bhatia is not the only setback LIV Golf has faced in 2026. Earlier, it was reported that LIV was interested in pursuing Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim, but they failed to do so.

LIV Golf has a reason to celebrate despite Akshay Bhatia’s rejection

When a talented young golfer like Akshay Bhatia rejects LIV Golf, it’s a rejection that will sting. However, LIV reportedly has something in their pocket that could help them overcome the setback caused by Bhatia’s rejection.

Tom Kershaw, a journalist from The Times, reported hours ago that PGA Tour’s Thomas Detry is expected to join LIV. The tweet from Kershaw mentioned that Detry would join 4Aces GC and play alongside fellow Belgian Thomas Pieters. Kershaw’s tweet also revealed that Smash GC has secured a replacement for Brooks Koepka.

The tweet from Kershaw read:

“It is understood Detry is likely to join the 4Aces, which would reunite him with fellow Belgian Thomas Pieters. Harold Varner is expected in turn to join Smash GC, Brooks Koepka’s old franchise, which is now led by Talor Gooch.”

Apart from celebrating the addition of Thomas Detry and Harold Varner, LIV also has two more reasons to celebrate. After all, apart from Detry and Varner, LIV will also witness the return of Sam Horsfield, who re-signed with Majesticks GC, and the addition of Elivis Smylie to LIV Golf’s Ripper GC.