LIV Golf is making three big changes to help them keep going.
The future of LIV Golf is uncertain, but three big changes could help the league make it to the 2027 season.
LIV Golf got a major setback in April when the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) said it would stop its financial support. The PIF had invested around $5 billion since the league started in 2022, so losing that money is a huge challenge.
That’s not the only problem. The Asian Tour, which LIV partnered with before its launch, is now joining the DP World Tour and PGA Tour. This is tough for LIV because the Asian Tour’s Saudi-funded International Series helped provide important events and opportunities for players between LIV’s 14 tournaments.
Top player Rory McIlroy called the news “positive” for golf and stayed loyal to the PGA Tour, saying, “If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire.”
Even though McIlroy doesn’t support LIV continuing past 2026, LIV Golf has three big changes planned to try to survive. They want to cut the number of tournaments from 14 to 10, lower the total prize money from $420 million to about $100 million, and change the pay system, possibly stopping payouts for the lowest-ranked players. Right now, the bottom 11 players at each event get $50,000.
LIV’s CEO, Scott O’Neil, is pitching this new “LIV 2.0” plan to potential investors, hoping to raise the $350 million needed to keep the tour alive.
There’s some hope that the funding will come through, but some players are already thinking about leaving, even if the money is found. According to Flushing It, seven players have said they plan to quit after the season no matter what.
One player, speaking anonymously, said, “I have to look after myself and my career. Every year I play on LIV is another suspension. I’ll try to earn as much as I can now, then play in Asia and aim for DP invites. I could be on the PGA Tour in two years if I do well.”
So, while there are plans and hopes to keep LIV Golf going, with big names possibly leaving, the league’s future still looks unclear.