Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund walks away from LIV Golf
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is withdrawing billions from LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, casting a shadow over the future of the nascent golf league. Greg Palkot reports that the PIF had invested more than $5 billion to rival the PGA Tour, attracting top players like Phil Mickelson. With this funding cut, LIV Golf is now seeking new global investors to ensure its long-term viability.
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As LIV Golf formally announced Thursday that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will no longer fund the startup league, President Donald Trump is excited about what could come of it.
With LIV’s monetary future in doubt beyond 2026, reports say golfers who defected from the PGA Tour for LIV want to change course.
Trump believes that would be positive for the sport.
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President Donald Trump reacts as he walks the course at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 18-hole course at Trump International Golf Links on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, near Aberdeen, Scotland. President Trump is visiting Scotland on a trip that is part vacation and part work, staying at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, between July 25 and 29. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“I think all golfers should be playing against each other. They were coming up with something like a monopoly, but it’s moving away. It should be the opposite of a monopoly,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.
“I want to see Rory [McIlroy] playing Bryson DeChambeau. I want to see the great Jon Rahm playing Scottie, who is great. Scottie Scheffler is great. They have great players in LIV, but it’s almost like people want to see that. “That’s why the Masters was so good because you saw everyone together.”
“The Tour wants to have the best players. You can’t have the best player they’re boycotting right now. They might do something, you know, a little bit, but they’ll all get back on the tour and it’ll be great. I don’t know what’s going on with LIV. I’m not sure what’s going on with LIV, but they’re playing at my course in two weeks at Potomac, a beautiful course. But right now [the PGA Tour] in Doral, which I own.”
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil reportedly sent an email to his staff amid initial funding reports that the season would run “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full speed,” but plans apparently changed. LIV announced that its June tournament in New Orleans has been postponed with a date to be determined.
The league announced Thursday “new board appointments as the league focuses on securing long-term financial partners to support its transition from a fundamental launch phase to a diversified investment model with multiple partners.”
Team captain Bryson DeChambeau shakes hands with former President Donald Trump on the fourth hole during the pro-am before the LIV Golf Invitational at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey, on July 28, 2022. (Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf)
STEPHEN A SMITH BLAMES PGA TOUR FOR LIV GOLF SAGA, MORONICALLY SAYS DEFECTORS SHOULD NOT FACE ANY PUNISHMENT
“PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season,” its statement began. “The substantial investment required by LIV Golf in the long term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF’s investment priorities and current macro dynamics.
“The Board of LIV Golf has created a committee of independent directors to evaluate strategic alternatives for its future beyond the PIF funding horizon. LIV Golf has substantially grown the game globally through its transformational and positive impact. It has forever changed the game of golf for the better.”
The PIF reportedly injected more than $1 billion into LIV Golf in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. With the injection of $266 million to start the new year, an increase in prize funds for the season and net spending of $100 million per month, the Saudi PIF’s cumulative investment would reach $6 billion by the end of 2026.
LIV started in 2022 and has produced two big winners in Brooks Koepka, who has since He rejoined the PGA Tour, at the 2023 PGA Championship, and DeChambeau at the 2024 US Open.
LIV Golf moved from its 54-hole format, a draw for golfers who defected from the PGA Tour, to a 72-hole format starting this season. Patrick Reed is also ready to rejoin the PGA Tour.
Former President Donald Trump leaves the first tee after the start of the final round of the Bedminster Invitational LIV golf tournament in Bedminster, New Jersey, on July 31, 2022. (Seth Wenig/AP)
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There are seven remaining events in the LIV Golf Calendar 2026and the next one will take place at Trump National in Virginia starting May 7. They will be at the Trump course in Bedminster, New Jersey, in July.
