LIV Golf postpones New Orleans event

Saudi-backed LIV Golf announced the postponement of a planned June tournament in New Orleans (Cliff Hawkins)

(Cliff Hawkins/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)

LIV Golf postponed its planned June tournament in New Orleans on Tuesday, with officials saying they hope to reschedule an event for later this year.

LIV Golf Louisiana had been scheduled for June 25-28 at Bayou Oaks in City Park, which had received $2 million in state-funded upgrades to host the event.

"In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall," LIV Golf Louisiana said in a statement.

"This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect."

The United States will co-host the FIFA World Cup with Mexico and Canada in June and July.

"We're grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall," the statement said. "We look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said the state had paid $1.2 million to LIV as part of its hosting contract, with the Saudi-backed series expected to return state incentive funding.

"We appreciate LIV's good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year," he said.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has announced plans to change its investments, with LIV's future funding uncertain and new investors being sought.

LIV's next tournament, and the only event in the United States until August, is set for May 7-10 at Trump National in suburban Washington.

js/rcw