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Saudi to end LIV Golf funding this year: reports
TL;DR
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will cease funding LIV Golf after the 2026 season, jeopardizing the tour's future. The announcement is expected to be communicated to staff and players soon.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will stop funding LIV Golf
- Funding will end after the 2026 season
- LIV Golf's future is now in serious doubt
Mentioned in this story
LIV GolfSaudi Public Investment FundBryson DeChambeau
The likes of Bryson DeChambeau defected from the PGA Tour in acrimonious circumstances, and may face severe penalties if they try to return (Hector Vivas)
(Hector Vivas/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/Getty Images via AFP)
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will stop financing LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, throwing the future of the breakaway tour into serious doubt, US media reported Wednesday.
LIV Golf, founded in 2022 as a main rival to the PGA Tour, plans to inform staff and players on Thursday that the Saudi Public Investment Fund will no longer bankroll the circuit beyond this summer, the Wall Street Journal said.
The league, which spent billions of Saudi dollars to lure many of the world's top players including Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, will "evaluate strategic alternatives" to continue operating, CNBC reported.
Both the Wall Street Journal and CNBC cited multiple anonymous sources. LIV Golf did not comment when repeatedly contacted by AFP.
Reports first emerged earlier this month that the breakaway tour was on the verge of collapse due to the possible withdrawal of Saudi financing.
LIV's deep-pocketed backers in Riyadh were rumored to have cooled on the extravagantly expensive project, which has reportedly cost them over $5 billion so far.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil refuted the reports, vowing to continue the season "full throttle," though he conceded the league would "probably" have to raise money going forward.
A collapse of LIV Golf could jeopardize the careers and earnings of its star players.
The likes of DeChambeau defected from the PGA Tour in acrimonious circumstances, and may face severe penalties if they try to return.
"There were rules, and they were broken," PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp told the Journal this week. "With rules comes accountability."
LIV Golf this week postponed its planned June tournament in New Orleans on Tuesday, with officials saying they hope to reschedule an event for later this year.
LIV's next tournament is set for May 7-10 at Trump National in suburban Washington.
Q&A
Why is Saudi Arabia ending funding for LIV Golf?
Saudi Arabia is reportedly stopping its financial support for LIV Golf due to strategic shifts in investment priorities.
What will happen to LIV Golf after 2026?
The future of LIV Golf is uncertain as it will no longer have financial backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund after the 2026 season.
How will this affect players who joined LIV Golf?
Players who defected to LIV Golf may face penalties if they attempt to return to the PGA Tour, complicating their professional futures.
