Is LIV Golf coming to an end?
Just a few months ago, LIV Golf came to a crossroads when the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund announced their intention to end funding for the breakaway tournament after the 2026 season. That immediately led to speculation that the league itself would fold entirely, or that top players like Bryson DeChambeau or Jon Rahm would look to return to the PGA Tour.
That speculation only increased when news broke that LIV was canceling their scheduled tournament in Louisiana, though CEO Scott O’Neil was adamant that the tour would continue and investor meetings were already ongoing. O’Neil also added that key players like DeChambeau were participating in those meetings, and that there was widespread interest in backing upcoming seasons.
LIV GOLF’S END MAY BE IMMINENT AFTER REPORT SIGNALS SAUDI ARABIA IS PREPARING TO CUT OFF FUNDING
Well, this week, another new report is only adding to concerns about the future of LIV. Ben Parsons at Today’s Golferreported on Wednesday that LIV is “highly likely” to cancel its Team Championships event scheduled for The Cardinal Course in Michigan on Aug. 27-30.
Parsons spoke to Martin Kaymer, who heads The Cleeks team, while covering the current LIV Golf UK event at JCB Golf and Country Club. Kaymer had just attended the captain’s meeting ahead of the UK event, which is coming at the end of a lengthy break brought on by the cancelation of the New Orleans tournament.
“We were hoping for a bit more information,” Kaymer reportedly said. “I mean, we got the information, but we were more looking for decisions or what was happening next year. And unfortunately, even Scott, he can’t tell us because he doesn’t know. It depends so much on the investors. Hopefully, I think there’s a lot of interest and it’s looking good.
“But we’ve all been there. If the signature is not there, then it doesn’t mean anything.”
There are three more events on the LIV schedule, including an upcoming event at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster on Aug. 6-9, followed by the Individual Championship at LIV Golf Indianapolis on Aug. 20-23. Kaymer believes that tournament will happen as scheduled, but the Michigan date has just a “5%” chance of taking place.
“I know that Indianapolis most likely is happening,” he said. “There was a conversation yesterday. Michigan, highly unlikely. So basically, what we already knew. That’s why I think it became a captains’ meeting and not a players’ meeting, because they couldn’t give us much more than we had before.”
He admitted that he and the rest of the league are “disappointed,” while acknowledging another Golf Channel report that the team championship could be switched to Indianapolis instead of keeping it as an individual event.
Kaymer though, also expressed optimism that the league would continue operating in 2027 and beyond, saying they can “hit the reset button and try to be more independent.”
There’s no two ways about it, canceling the Michigan tournament is a disaster. It’s one thing to lose the Louisiana tournament, a regularly scheduled event. It’s another to lose LIV’s signature team event championship. Though it doesn’t mean there won’t be a 2027 season, it’s concerning that there may have not been enough cash on hand to fund the tournament, or the Saudis didn’t follow through on their funding commitments.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
O’Neil continues to meet with potential investors and express optimism that he can bring in the $300-350 million or so required to keep the league moving in 2027. But it’s clear that remains an uphill battle. And if certain players bolt, or try to get out of their contracts, it might be even tougher. There’s plenty left to determine about the future of LIV Golf, and it doesn’t seem like these questions will be resolved anytime soon.
