LIV Golf executives are poised to inform players that Saudi Arabia’s funding of the circuit will cease at the end of 2026, threatening the tour’s survival just four years after its first tournament. Without alternative funding from 2027 onwards, the breakaway league faces closure in its current form.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has ploughed more than $5bn (£3.7bn) into LIV, communicated the change in approach during meetings in New York immediately after the Masters. The conflict in the Middle East and a strategic shift ordered by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince have been cited. Yasir al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor and a key champion of LIV, is no longer understood to be playing a leading role in the tour’s future.
Chief executive Scott O’Neil, who had hoped to convince the PIF to maintain support, is set to hold meetings with players and staff this week to detail the funding reversal. The Wall Street Journal first reported that O’Neil would outline the PIF’s decision and the resulting financial black hole, freeing him to seek alternative investors although the outlook appears grim.
Major winners including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith are contracted to LIV on deals collectively worth hundreds of millions. Players will inevitably seek clarity on whether they can walk away from those contracts to return to the PGA Tour. However, negotiations will be complicated as the PGA Tour is in a strong bargaining position and must consider sanctions for returning players to appease those who remained loyal.
Next week, LIV Golf Virginia is scheduled at Trump National Golf Club. The tour has also postponed a planned event in Louisiana in June.
