Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.
LIV Golf faces growing uncertainty after chief executive Scott O’Neil declined to guarantee that the final four tournaments of the 2026 season will take place. Speaking this week as questions continue to surround the league’s financial future, O’Neil confirmed LIV is actively seeking new investment following Saudi Arabia’s decision to end long term funding. The situation matters because it raises fresh concerns about the survival of the breakaway golf circuit and the future of its contracted players.
The uncertainty follows an announcement in April that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would stop bankrolling LIV Golf beyond the 2026 season. The decision came after PIF governor Yasir Al Rumayyan was directed to prioritise domestic investment projects, creating significant pressure on LIV’s leadership to secure alternative funding.
According to reports, concerns now extend beyond the end of the season, with some insiders questioning whether the league will even complete its current schedule.
O’Neil Seeks Urgent Investment
Speaking to CNBC, O’Neil acknowledged the urgency of the situation and revealed he had already met with multiple prospective investors during the week.
The LIV Golf chief insisted there is still confidence in the business model and claimed the league could become profitable within three years if sufficient funding is secured.
“We have incredible business momentum,” O’Neil said.
“What we don’t have is a lot of time. So we’re very urgently out there talking to those who are interested. We like the pool, but we have to get this done through the summer.”
His comments highlighted both optimism and concern. While LIV continues to pursue investors, the timeline for securing fresh capital appears increasingly tight.
O’Neil also stated that the 2026 season would continue at full speed, but his response when asked directly about the remaining events raised further questions.
Rather than guaranteeing the tournaments would proceed, he shifted focus to the investment opportunity itself.
“What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come invest in this business,” he said.
That answer has only intensified speculation regarding the stability of LIV’s remaining schedule.
Remaining Tournaments Face Scrutiny
LIV Golf currently has four events left on its 2026 calendar.
The schedule includes LIV Golf United Kingdom in July, followed by three tournaments in the United States. The season is scheduled to conclude with the Team Championship in Plymouth, Michigan during August.
However, a report from Front Office Sports suggested there is uncertainty surrounding each remaining event.
According to the report, several stakeholders remain unsure exactly when Saudi funding could cease. One senior executive connected to a LIV business partner reportedly described every remaining tournament as being at risk.
The concerns stem from uncertainty over the timing of future payments from the Public Investment Fund. While the fund has publicly committed to supporting LIV through the season, questions remain about the practical details of that commitment.
For players, sponsors and event organisers, the lack of clarity has created a difficult environment as the season approaches its final stretch.
Saudi Funding Has Driven LIV’s Growth
Since launching in 2022, LIV Golf has relied heavily on financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Reports estimate that more than US$6 billion has been invested into the circuit over the past four years. Those funds enabled LIV to sign major stars, launch a global schedule and challenge the PGA Tour’s dominance.
O’Neil praised the relationship with PIF and expressed confidence in its public commitments.
“You have to take an incredible organisation like PIF at their word,” he said.
“They’ve been very public about funding us through the season, so we are full steam ahead. The players are locked in. The management team is locked in.”
Despite those assurances, uncertainty persists because LIV has yet to announce a replacement funding structure capable of supporting operations beyond the current Saudi arrangement.
Jon Rahm Report Adds Another Twist
The financial uncertainty surrounding LIV has also sparked discussion about the future of some of its biggest stars.
Front Office Sports reported that Spanish golfer Jon Rahm may be closely monitoring developments and could potentially benefit from a collapse of the league.
Rahm, who reportedly remains under contract with LIV until 2029, would allegedly have grounds to terminate that agreement if the league were to miss payments or enter bankruptcy proceedings.
According to the report, Rahm is not actively assisting LIV’s efforts to attract investors and is instead waiting to see how the situation develops.
The suggestion that one of LIV’s highest profile players could be open to an exit has added another layer of intrigue to the league’s uncertain future.
What Happens Next?
The coming months could prove decisive for LIV Golf.
League executives are racing to secure fresh investment while attempting to reassure players, sponsors and partners that the competition remains stable. At the same time, uncertainty over Saudi funding has raised legitimate questions about whether the current business model can survive without continued backing.
If new investors emerge, LIV may gain the breathing room needed to continue operating and pursue profitability. If funding cannot be secured quickly, however, concerns surrounding the completion of the season may grow even louder.
For now, LIV Golf remains active and its schedule remains unchanged. But with only a handful of tournaments left and no long term financial solution yet announced, the future of the league has rarely looked more uncertain.