LIV Golf’s future is in serious doubt after the Saudi Public Investment Fund is set to pull funding at the end of 2026.
CEO Scott O’Neil has admitted that the league is only funded until the end of this year, meaning if LIV doesn’t find new investment for the 2027 season, it could all be over for the once Saudi-backed tour.
To make matters worse for the tour, Bryson DeChambeau was reportedly speaking with PGA Tour officials at The Masters, weighing a potential return. That makes finding an investment all the more difficult for O’Neil.
Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have dismissed these reports, calling them nonsense. That’s because of a meeting that LIV players had in Mexico City at their most recent event, where DeChambeau and Rahm expressed how they really feel about the state of the tour.
What Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm said in LIV Mexico meeting
LIV players hosted a private meeting in Mexico to discuss the tour’s future, and according to reports from Flushing It, DeChambeau and Rahm were among the key figures who attempted to steady the ship.
Flushing It posted to X: “Over the last few days, I’ve spoken directly to more than 20 players and 4 captains on the LIV Golf League. Despite the negativity from outside, they understand the potential challenges ahead, and almost have a siege mentality to rally around each other.
“There was a player meeting at LIV Golf Mexico City where sources have shared the positivity expressed by senior players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.”
If DeChambeau did indeed rally the troops in Mexico, it would explain why Poulter and Westwood would dismiss reports that he was seeking an offramp at The Masters.
But it’s still possible for DeChambeau to feel passionately about the LIV project while being intelligent enough to formulate a plan B if it is indeed over.
Lucas Herbert shares honest thoughts on Scott O’Neil
Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC spoke to Flushing It about the current state of LIV, and he gave his honest thoughts on Scott O’Neil as LIV’s CEO.
He said, “All the players are committed to the league. They have had ample opportunities to leave if they want to, but they are still here.
“Whether they are satisfied with what the organization is doing and what it is right now or not, they are sticking by it with optimism and belief that collectively we can build it into something we can all be proud of; A highly competitive tour that goes all over the world.”
He continued, “I don’t know who else I would want to run this business if I couldn’t have Scott. In 18 months, he’s learned a lot about golf, as I don’t think he had previously been involved in golf, which is actually great because he brings a different mindset to the business rather than someone who’s been stuck in golf forever.
“He elevated the brand a lot in the most recent offseason. I think the TV product is so much easier to look at and understand for people who haven’t watched a lot of LIV Golf and getting them to understand the individual and team sides of things. It’s a lot of information, but they have restructured it really well.
“I think Scott speaks really well and is happy to have conversations with anyone. He’s honest with us as players. He owns his mistakes when he rarely makes them and takes ownership of the things he needs to address and improve within the business. He’s the perfect guy for what we need.”
For now, LIV players are toeing the company line. But as the clock ticks down to the end of the season, it will be interesting to see if any of the names jump ship.
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