Despite speculation surrounding the financial future of LIV Golf, Jon Rahm, one of the league's top stars, claims he is not overly concerned. Rumors have been circulating that the breakaway league may lose its future funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which has been backing the format.
However, Rahm insists he is focused on preparing for tournaments and is not wasting time worrying about the league's future. LIV Golf's latest event, LIV Mexico, kicked off at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, with Rahm shooting a round of 65 to place second. In a statement, Rahm said he 'wasn't too worried' about the league's future, adding that he would wait for official confirmation before giving it much thought.
The Daily Telegraph reported that LIV Golf executives had been summoned to an emergency meeting in New York, while the Financial Times stated that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund was considering cutting its support for the league. LIV Golf launched in 2022, paying roughly $1 billion in signing bonuses to top PGA Tour players, including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson. The league has since expanded to 13 teams and increased its prize money to $30 million.
CEO Scott O'Neil is confident that the league will continue to grow and evolve, citing its successful sponsorship deals with big brands like Rolex and HSBC. O'Neil believes that LIV Golf's survival is beneficial for the sport as a whole, providing more competition and better prize purses for players. The Saudi-backed league has contributed to a division within professional golf, with some top players defecting to the breakaway tour.
However, O'Neil remains optimistic about the league's future, stating that it will continue to put on a show and grow the game of golf.