Much as the organisers and financial backers try to talk up LIV, it has thus far failed to capture the hearts and minds of the golf-loving public. By and large, existing golf fans are at best ambivalent and indifferent; at worst, they are openly hostile. As for LIV’s supposed aim of “growing the game” (who are we to suggest it was about sportswashing and economic diversification for the Saudis, and getting very rich for very little effort for the players?), there is no real evidence to suggest the rival tour has reached a new demographic in any meaningful way.
Perhaps we are existing in our own echo chamber and hearing what we want to hear. But it seems to us that the only time LIV really makes the news, especially these days now that we are well past the period of big-name defections, is when there is something going wrong, something controversial happens, or when a player is trying to move back to the main tours. That has certainly been the case over the past few weeks or so.
LIV in Big Trouble?
Back in mid-April, reputable media outlets, including the Financial Times, were reporting that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was set to withdraw financial support for the rebel tour. As rumours mounted that LIV Golf could collapse this year, the tour’s chief executive, Scott O’Neil, said it was business as usual and the 2026 season would go on “as planned and uninterrupted”.
At the start of May, PIF, which had pledged support until 2032, announced that it would no longer fund LIV after 2026. It was a huge blow for the tour. LIV’s money-men claim that certain tournaments, teams and aspects of the venture are profitable and sustainable. However, there is no doubt that without the backing of the Saudis, the tour is desperate for new supporters and cannot continue as it was envisaged.
It is believed that LIV is up for sale as it seeks new funding, and the BBC was told it is in constructive negotiations with possible investors. It is unclear what the future holds, but even with new money, it seems impossible that the 2027 season will have anything like the 14 events currently played.
It is believed the tour has lost well over $1bn outside the US since being founded in 2021, with total losses several multiples of that. There is tremendous uncertainty for all those involved, especially the players. LIV’s highest-profile star, Bryson DeChambeau, recently said his “job is to help make the league work after this year”. He added that he had “a responsibility” and that “we’re going to make this work. As long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense.”
Failing that there is Always YouTube
More recently still, on the 6th of May, DeChambeau cast doubt on his previous positivity about making things work by revealing his plans should LIV fail. Just a few days after denying rumours he was set to leave LIV this year, which he said were “completely untrue”, the big-hitting American said that should LIV cease to exist, he would “love to grow my YouTube channel”.
You’re not going to want to miss this one.
Easily one of my all-time favorite days on the course. Adam makes everything so much more fun. It’s an honor just to hang with a legend like him, but a full round of golf with Happy Gilmore? That’s the stuff of childhood dreams.
Hope… pic.twitter.com/QuoGxeiTma
— Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondech) July 27, 2025
Who needs majors when you can have viewers? The two-time US Open champion’s LIV contract ends at the end of the current season anyway, and it is hard to see how any new backers could afford the $500m he reportedly wants to stay. One way or another, it is hard to see DeChambeau involved with LIV in 2027.
However, rather than following Brooks Koepka and others in trying to make amends with the PGA and DP World Tours, the outspoken Bryson said he will only “play tournaments that want me”. With plenty of free time on the horizon, he told ESPN, “from my perspective, I’d love to grow my YouTube channel three times”, adding that he would “love to do a bunch of dubbing in different languages, giving the world more reason to watch YouTube.” Yes, Bryson, that is just what the world needs.
Rahm Ryder Return
The other big LIV news of late concerns the tour’s other huge name, Spaniard Jon Rahm. The two-time major champion was a surprising addition to the PIF-backed tour in 2024, having previously pledged his loyalty to the PGA Tour. Amazing what $400m can do.
The Spaniard played at the last Ryder Cup, but there was doubt over his involvement in Ireland in 2027. However, Rahm himself revealed on the 5th of May that “There’s no longer a stand-off.” He commented that “We were able to reach an agreement” and that there were “some concessions on both sides”.
Jon Rahm has agreed a deal to return to the DP World Tour after settling his outstanding fines 🤝
He is now free to play in next year’s Ryder Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jheBw5At39
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 5, 2026
Rahm had previously refused to pay fines to the DP World Tour that were levied after he played LIV events without authority. This meant he was ineligible for events on the European Tour and consequently could not have been considered for selection for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
It is believed that Rahm has agreed to pay £2m in fines and also to play at least five DP World Tour-sanctioned tournaments. Eight other players, of whom Tyrell Hatton is the highest profile, have reached similar agreements, leaving Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald a happy man, able to select from his best players.