LIV Golf seemingly faces a fight to survive as reports of funding issues from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) continue.
The PIF could soon end its long-term financial backing of LIV Golf, which would require outside funding to continue running.
The rumours circulating about the Saudi-backed tour come right before LIV Golf Mexico City, the next tournament in the schedule.
CEO Scott O’Neil has since confirmed to players that the 2026 season will continue as normal, which golf writer Alan Shipnuck has now described as a “small victory” for LIV Golf.
LIV Golf claimed to have plunged into ‘total anarchy’
Speaking on Dan on Golf, he said: “It’s chaotic. It’s contradictory. The people in Mexico City are trying to figure it out in real time like the rest of us.
“It could only end this way for LIV Golf, with just total anarchy.
“Now there are reports saying they are going to finish out the season at least and that feels like a small victory for those on LIV Golf. They are not going to be stranded.
“But it’s just the chef’s kiss. LIV has been a content machine since the day it arrived on our doorstep.
“Whether it was an important golf tour, or whether it really helped the golf ecosystem is debatable. But is it a gift from the content Gods? Clearly.
“The energy on Twitter has been absolutely incredible for the last 48 hours and it’s not over, so you have to sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Alan Shipnuck suggests LIV Golf will ‘limp along for the rest of the season’
Shipnuck also delved further into the timing of the speculation, which will undoubtedly have all those connected with LIV Golf worried about their futures.
When asked by Dan Rapaport simply why now, he said: “Because the Public Investment Fund just announced its new five-year plan.
“This whole systemic review of their spending was that this has been a multi-month project, it even pre-dates the war in Iran and there has been a lot of reports that have leaked out about even MBS’s (Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) pet projects have been slashed and downsized.
“Clearly they have looked at the balance sheet and said they are incinerating money in a way that is not sustainable.
“The idea that there is an endless amount of money is not true. They have the money because they have been smart with the money they have and have grown the pot.
“They have made great investments and have very smart people running the business side of things. They have taken a few flyers. LIV Golf was one of them but at some point they were going to retrench.
“MBS is not a golfer, and however much Yasir [Al-Rumayyan, LIV Golf chairman] loves LIV Golf, ultimately everyone has a boss and he has a very unforgiving one.
“At some point he says I know you are going to lose some face, I know you have these personal relationships, I know you want the Green Jacket but you’re out. Pull the plug.
“Maybe LIV will limp along for the rest of the season but it does seem clear that the priorities have shifted in the Kingdom.”
It should indeed be welcome news for the players and everyone with ties to LIV Golf that the 2026 season is on track for completion.
But they will likely already be preparing for life away from the tour, which could, of course, have massive implications for the PGA Tour.
Brooks Koepka has already returned and Patrick Reed is closing in on doing the same, but whether others follow suit remains to be seen.
For now, Club de Golf Chapultepec is hosting LIV Golf Mexico City this week, with tournaments in Virginia and Korea both scheduled for May.
Read more:
LIV Golfers in the dark over current situation, ‘scramble’ has now been set off
Sergio Garcia responds directly to rumours that LIV Golf could end
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
