Several of golf's leading names are facing career uncertainty at the end of 2026 amid expectations that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) will withdraw its backing for the LIV Tour. While Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm may have a pathway back to the PGA Tour, the future for others who made lucrative switches to LIV is far less clear.
LIV executives, who were bullish about the circuit's future at last week's Masters, subsequently attended a summit with the PIF in New York. There, the financial impact of the Middle East crisis is believed to have been cited for a sudden change in the fund's approach. Insiders believe the PIF will seek to apply force majeure to extricate itself from contracts beyond the end of this year. Without alternative funding, LIV's outlook is bleak given each event carries a $30m prize fund.
LIV's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, attempted to calm concerns with a message to staff and a meeting with team captains, but his statements made no commitments beyond 2026. Since its founding in 2021, LIV is understood to have burned through more than $5bn of PIF money. Under O'Neil, LIV has made strides towards commercial viability, attracting sponsors like Rolex and HSBC, but the tour's future remains uncertain.
The PGA Tour has already smoothed a path for Brooks Koepka to return from LIV, and Patrick Reed will soon follow. While DeChambeau and Rahm hold strong appeal to the PGA Tour, other players, such as Phil Mickelson, face a less obvious future, having entered into open warfare with the PGA Tour. The DP World Tour may be a potential destination for some LIV players, but its agreement with the PGA Tour complicates matters.
The Ladies European Tour (LET) is also closely watching the Saudi pivot, as the PIF Saudi Ladies International and other events backed by Saudi entities could be affected if the kingdom diverts attention away from golf. Women's golf in Europe could be badly exposed if such funding ends.
