Sergio García made it clear that he cannot provide any new information about the future of LIV Golf beyond what the players have already been told, as speculation about the league's stability continues to swirl. The conversation took place just before the latest LIV event, which is being held in Mexico City this week, and it comes amid a wave of rumors that began on social media on Tuesday night suggesting that the Saudi-backed tour might be facing an existential crisis. On Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported that senior executives of LIV Golf had been called to an emergency meeting in New York. The Financial Times followed with a story indicating that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, the sovereign wealth fund that bankrolls the venture, was reportedly reconsidering its level of financial support.
According to the FT, no final decision had been reached, but the possibility of a funding cut was being seriously examined. Sky Sports noted that the uncertainty has left many of the league's players confused and eager for reassurance. While team captains – a group that includes García – have not received any definitive announcement, they are aware that the situation remains fluid and that any official word is likely to come later in the day.
Despite the buzz, the atmosphere at Club de Golf Chapultepec on Wednesday was business as usual. Players were seen practicing on the fairways and putting greens in preparation for Thursday's opening round. Earlier reports that access to the course had been denied or that the power had been shut off proved to be inaccurate. Jon Rahm, who was scheduled to hold a pre‑event press conference on Tuesday, saw his interview canceled due to what LIV described as technical difficulties.
García, however, was able to speak on Wednesday. When asked about the mounting speculation, the former Masters champion answered in Spanish, emphasizing the loyalty expressed by the league's chairman, Yasir Al‑Rumayyan, at the start of the year. "Honestly, we aren't going to listen to anything except what Yasir told us at the beginning of the year – that he stands behind us and that this is a long‑term project," García said. He added that rumors are inevitable in such a high‑profile venture, but that he could not provide any information beyond what is already publicly known.
The Golf Channel's Rich Lerner posted on X that the pairings for the first round in Mexico had been released, but he also warned that the players were still awaiting clarification about their future and would likely receive more definitive answers by mid‑afternoon. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol offered a broader perspective on the financial backdrop.
He explained that Saudi Arabia's PIF, which invests oil revenues to diversify the kingdom's economy, has recently unveiled a new five‑year investment strategy. While sport is not listed as a standalone priority in the new plan, it is expected to fall under the broader categories of tourism and entertainment. Solhekol suggested that the fund is not abandoning sport altogether but is instead re‑evaluating how it allocates capital to ensure a clear return on investment.
"They have already poured roughly $5 billion into LIV, and the model is projected to lose money for the next five to ten years," Solhekol noted. "Going forward, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund will continue to back football, Formula 1, boxing, tennis and even golf, but each deal will need to make commercial sense.
They do not want to be seen simply as a money‑throwing entity that funds any sport without a strategic rationale." He also highlighted the impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has reverberated through global economies, especially those in the Gulf region. "Saudi Arabia is signalling that it will keep investing in sport, but it will do so with a far more disciplined, business‑oriented approach," Solhekol concluded. LIV Golf, launched in 2021 with PIF backing, was intended to challenge the established PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Its arrival sparked a split in professional golf, attracting high‑profile players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson to the breakaway circuit. Initially, LIV events were 54‑hole tournaments, but the format was altered to 74 holes for the 2026 season in an effort to secure Official World Golf Ranking points. The league also announced a substantial increase in prize money for 2026, boosting the total purse to $30 million, with the team prize doubling to $10 million and the individual prize remaining at $20 million.
Starting with 12 teams and 48 players, LIV expanded to 13 teams, though it has recently lost two marquee names: five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka and former Masters champion Patrick Reed. Koepka has announced his return to the PGA Tour, citing a desire to be closer to his family and to compete in an environment he believes offers a meaningful ownership stake for players. Reed, meanwhile, posted that he will no longer compete on LIV and intends to focus on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, describing himself as a "traditionalist" who wants to continue his career on the circuits where his story began.
Both players used social media to explain their decisions. Koepka wrote, "When I was a child I dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour, and I am thrilled to announce my return. Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this opportunity especially meaningful." Reed added, "After careful thought, my family and I have decided that I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour.
I am a traditionalist at heart and was born to play on the PGA Tour, where my story began with my wife, Justine." At the 2026 Masters, Koepka and Reed each finished tied for 12th place, while several LIV regulars struggled. Tyrell Hatton was the sole standout, finishing tied for third at ten under par, just two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. Five of LIV's ten participants missed the cut at Augusta, including two‑time major winner Bryson DeChambeau, who posted rounds of 76 and 74, the latter featuring a triple‑bogey on the 18th hole.
Other LIV alumni such as Jon Rahm and Sergio García also missed the cut, ending up tied 38th and 52nd respectively. Dustin Johnson finished tied 33rd, and Charl Schwartzel placed 54th.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf underscores the broader challenges faced by Saudi Arabia's sports investment strategy. While the kingdom remains committed to supporting high‑profile events across multiple disciplines, the emphasis appears to be shifting toward projects that deliver clear financial returns and align with the new strategic priorities outlined by the Public Investment Fund.