Last week, the spotlight was on President Donald Trump and Yasir Al Rumayyan, the Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), as they attended the final round of LIV Golf in New York.
Event Context
This event marked a notable occasion as it was the first LIV gathering attended by Al Rumayyan since February. Following this, news emerged about PIF’s decision to withdraw its funding from the League.
Set in New York, specifically Trump’s Bedminster on the outskirts of the city, the earlier part of the week saw LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil announce the securing of a new investor. According to Bloomberg, this investor is the credit division of BC Partners, which, together with other investors, has expressed an intention to provide $300 million in funding. Ted Goldthorpe, the head of BC Partners Credit, was present at the tournament on Sunday.
O’Neil had previously noted that LIV Golf requires approximately $350 million to effectively plan the schedule for 2027.
Since PIF’s exit was revealed in April, several developments have unfolded, negatively impacting LIV Golf. The most recent update states that the League intends to file for bankruptcy and will reduce its workforce significantly in preparation for restructuring ahead of the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the LIV Golf website still lists the 2026 Team Championship, but visitors to The Cardinal at Saint John’s in Michigan have noted that no infrastructure has yet been established. With the tournament slated to begin on August 27, the likelihood of a $40 million season finale appears slim.
Looking forward, O’Neil outlined plans for the 2027 season, which will feature ten tournaments—five in the United States and five internationally. Considering the success in locations such as Australia and South Africa, those countries are anticipated to be part of the schedule. Potential sites for additional events include Valderrama, Spain (notably linked with Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia), and South Korea. The final global event is expected to be in England, strategically scheduled near the dates of The Open Championship.
In other news, Anirban Lahiri once again proved invaluable to his team, Crushers GC, as they triumphed in another team championship under challenging circumstances. Although not the highest-placed player from the Crushers, Lahiri’s performance was impactful. He finished tied for 17th after making a birdie on his last hole, the par-5 15th, while many others faltered on the tough Trump Bedminster course.
While Bryson DeChambeau and Charles Howell III lost a stroke on their final holes, and Paul Casey couldn’t add any birdies in his impressive under-par performance, Lahiri’s birdie helped secure a two-shot victory for his team over Legion XIII and Torque GC, finishing at +6.
Although Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII appeared poised to clinch another team title, their captain bogeyed the final hole, the par-3 16th, while Caleb Surratt faced a double-bogey on the par-4 third, further shifting the dynamics of the competition.
Player Focus
There’s hope that recent concerns can be alleviated as reports suggest that the PIF has reached an agreement to settle the remaining contract payments for players. Additionally, it appears likely that some companies under the PIF umbrella, such as Riyadh Air, may continue their involvement with the League.
As the League prepares for 2027, a key question looms: How many players can it keep? With the uncertainty surrounding this year, players are understandably cautious about their futures.
Before the season wraps up, it will be crucial for LIV to confirm that stars Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm will remain with the League. Their presence is vital; losing either of them could lead to other players reconsidering their commitments.
Match Outlook
A key factor for LIV Golf’s success will be securing a partnership with a reputable organization like the Asian Tour. The Asian Tour plays a vital role in supporting the League by offering additional playing opportunities for LIV members and serving as a safety net for players who face relegation.
