Answering the big questions about the future of LIV Golf

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, our writers discuss the future of LIV Golf after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announced it would cut funding to the rebel organization after the 2026 season.

In a press release Thursday, LIV Golf announced the new board members as it transitions from a “fundamental launch stage to a multi-partner investment model.” A few hours later, the banking company, Saudi PIF, released its own statement saying “PIF has made the decision to finance LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season. The large investment required by LIV Golf in the long term is no longer compatible with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy.” Now that you’ve had a few days to digest this bombshell – and after April’s rollercoaster LIV Golf – what’s your last thought?

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): That in all the chaos, not much has changed, except that some players have gotten a lot richer. I guess you could say the birth of LIV shook the Tour out of its grip, leading to (continuous) schedule changes and fatter purses for already overpaid golfers. However, more than that, what? Is there now an insatiable demand for club golf? There is none. Is professional golf itself a better product now for fans? I see no evidence of that.

Josh Schrock, news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I think the Sens overachieved. What will stick with me long after LIV changes to something else or goes away entirely is that money couldn’t buy the parts of professional golf that touch the fans: the culture, the history and the meaning of the results. Billions of dollars can do a lot, but they can’t speed up time. It takes decades for sports leagues to connect with fans and build a connection. LIV Golf would not be able to achieve that goal in such a short period of time. As our Michael Bamberger wrote, LIV Golf changed the PGA Tour, but not for the better. And I feel like it’s going to count now that the Tour’s biggest enemy is on the move.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): Good points, guys. My constant thought was: We never heard the “don” of LIV Golf, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, say a single word. However golf history remembers LIV’s most powerful Saudi benefactor, he will NOT be remembered for saying a single word about the sport. “Your Highness” left golf when he entered it: Without a peep.

At this week’s Trump Doral Cadillac tournament, several players were asked whether LIV members should be accepted on the PGA Tour, and what penalties they should face. If you were PGA Tour manager Brian Rolapp, how would you handle the player reunion? Is it different for everyone? Would you not allow certain players at all?

Senses: Open up a way for guys to play their way back, with a points system with some sort of reward for past performance. For maybe the likes of Bryson and Rahm and Smith to be able to compete in regular tour events but not the top events, they still have to play it their way. LIV guys who aren’t that good can just retire rather than deal with that. And the little guys would be left trying to get their cards, which they probably do anyway.

Scrock: It will have to be on a case-by-case basis. As Rolapp and Jordan Spieth noted, the PGA Tour extended an offer to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith earlier this year and it was not accepted. The next agreement should not be forgiving. Both Spieth and Rolapp also subtly made the case that DeChambeau was the main contender after the LIV was launched in 2022. That’s a charge the PGA Tour players had to pay to defend, and the way back for those who signed on to sue the Tour should be harder than those who went to LIV quietly, like Brooks Koepka, and didn’t make it. Rahm will be an interesting case. His move came at a time when LIV was on the upswing, and provided juice for the rebel league and accounted for both sides’ stance on golf’s rivalry. That rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. I’m not sure there’s an easy way to bring the big names back without disrupting a large portion of the tour membership, but the tour will benefit economically by bringing them together quickly. As for the rest of the LIV roster, some who are canceling their membership, like Patrick Reed, may try to make a comeback with the DP World Tour or KFT. Many will disappear with their millions and not even knock on the house of the world. In all honesty, we’re probably talking about 15-20 players in total to make decisions about.

Colgan: I’ll give Bryson a way back. His presence would change the economics of the PGA Tour, and he may be the only LIV player for whom that is true (Jon Rahm probably deserves consideration here as well). Everyone else could be subject to a lengthy (and expensive) recovery process through strategic tour partners DP World Tour and KFT, or temporary retirement.

Even if LIV Golf gets more money, since most of the PIF boxes are no longer available, does this eliminate any kind of competition left with the PGA Tour?

Sens: I think so. If LIV has taught us anything, it’s that the world doesn’t need quality golf. At least not for the money these guys think they deserve. Ironically, the Tour’s real competition for eyeballs these days doesn’t come from LIV. It comes from a group of YouTube bros who produce their own content.

Scrock: Yes. Without the $30 million purse and signing bonuses, LIV will cease to be a threat on the PGA Tour. It sounds like it’s close to folding, barring an unexpected bailout.

Colgan: No fat lady singing. However. But it sounds like you’re warming up.

What is the best situation for LIV Golf going forward?

Senses: Maybe a pivot to crypto?

Scrock: Try to combine with DP World Tour. LIV may be shrinking with limited funds, but there will likely be an exodus of talent if the money dries up.

Colgan: I think there is potential for smaller bags in LIV’s previous successful golf-crazy locations (Korea, Australia, South Africa). The problem that LIV will face is that every sports league needs a lot of TV money to survive, and it’s nowhere near that right now.

Sunday’s golf slate featured two hits, as Nelly Korda won by four in Mexico and Cameron Young won by six in Florida. Both have had good starts to 2026, but which time do you think could continue this success this summer?

Senses: I think they’ll both keep going, but Young’s summer will be highlighted with more courage when he wins his first medal at Shinnecock.

Scrock: Korda for many reasons. The first is that he is arguably the best player in his career. The youngster has been good but has to contend with Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and the hot Matt Fitzpatrick. Korda changed his thinking after the winless 2025 and was not stopping to start this season. The only thing that could stop him is a balky putter, but his new coach seems to have neutralized that. I expect him to win at least one big this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Nelly’s big 2026.

Colgan: The camera! He is the undisputed No. 5 player in the world, and the first trip to the PGA Championship in Philly looms.