The future of LIV Golf is in doubt after reports emerged that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is preparing to cut funding for the rebel tour. The sixth event of LIV's fifth season is set to go ahead in Mexico City this week, but it has been overshadowed by widespread speculation that PIF plans to withdraw its financial backing.
Rumours of LIV's potential shutdown began circulating on social media on Tuesday evening, with the respected golf journalist Ryan French claiming on X that multiple sources had informed him that “a bombshell announcement on LIV’s future is imminent”. French later stated on X Spaces that he had heard LIV is “shutting down”. The tour declined to respond to the reports.
PIF released details of a new five-year economic strategy this week, focusing on sustainable investment and domestic returns, with no mention of sport among the seven key investment areas. A source who has worked with the Saudi Ministry of Sports indicated that PIF is now prioritising football and esports over golf, with the 2034 World Cup and other domestic projects taking precedence.
LIV players appear to be in the dark, with Sergio García telling the media in Mexico: “Frankly, we haven’t heard anything other than what Yasir [al-Rumayyan] already told us at the beginning of the year. That is, he’s behind us, that they have a project of many years.” The tour has already reduced prize money and bonus payments this year, and some players, including Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, have returned to the PGA Tour.
