Jon Rahm, one of the most recognizable faces on the LIV Golf circuit, recently downplayed any serious anxieties about the breakaway tour's future, even as speculation about its financial backing continues to swirl. The Spanish major champion, who posted a 65 to finish just three strokes behind Victor Perez at LIV Mexico, told reporters that he is "not too worried" about the league’s outlook. He explained that until the league’s leadership confirms whether the circulating rumours are factual, he sees no point in letting them dominate his thoughts.
"Until the people in charge tell me if the rumours are true or not, it doesn't make sense for me to waste time worrying about it," Rahm said. "We knew we were going to play this week, so our focus was simply on preparing for the tournament." When asked about the sudden burst of media chatter, Rahm noted that the speed of the reports left him largely unfazed.
"The information came out so quickly that I didn’t have time to get overly concerned. There’s always someone in the league who knows what’s happening, and the pace of the news didn’t give me a chance to overthink it," he added. The background to these comments is a series of reports suggesting that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has been the primary financial engine behind LIV Golf, may be reconsidering its level of support. Earlier this week, the Daily Telegraph revealed that LIV executives were summoned to an emergency meeting in New York.
Shortly thereafter, the Financial Times reported that the PIF was reportedly on the brink of cutting its funding, though no definitive decision had been announced. Money in Sport, a sports‑finance newsletter, noted in February that LIV Golf had already spent roughly $5.3 billion (£3.9 billion) and was projected to exceed $6 billion (£4.42 billion) by year‑end.
Such figures have fueled concerns among players who are eager for reassurance, yet Sky Sports indicated that team captains have not received any concrete notice of an imminent announcement. LIV Golf, launched in 2022, made a splash by offering around $1 billion in signing bonuses to a host of PGA Tour stars, including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm himself. This year the prize pool for both individual competitors and the 13‑team format was boosted to $30 million, underscoring the league’s ambition to remain financially attractive. Scott O'Neil, the chief executive of LIV Golf, attempted to quell the growing unease during Thursday’s televised broadcast.
He emphasized that the business is on a positive trajectory, citing nearly $500 million in sponsorship revenue last season from global brands such as Rolex, HSBC, and Aramco. "From a business standpoint we are in a wonderful position," O'Neil said.
"Structurally, the league will keep evolving as it has over the past twelve months. We know how to put on a show and how to grow the game." Looking ahead, O'Neil hinted at strategic adjustments, including a blend of LIV events with traditional national opens. He described the national opens as "under‑appreciated, under‑marketed, and under‑developed assets" that could help the league deepen its grassroots presence and expand golf’s global footprint. When pressed about why he personally wants LIV to survive, O'Neil offered a multi‑angle perspective: "If I were a PGA Tour player, I’d want LIV to stay alive because the prize purses are excellent and competition is good for business.
If I were a TV network, I’d love LIV to thrive because it makes compelling television. If I were a journalist, it adds spice to the news cycle.
And if I were a fan, I simply want more golf to watch around the world." Since its inception in 2021, LIV Golf has been positioned as a direct challenger to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, creating a pronounced split in professional golf. The league’s early format featured 54‑hole tournaments, but it plans to shift to 74 holes starting in 2026 in an effort to secure Official World Golf Ranking points. That same year, the total prize fund is slated to rise to $30 million, with the team component doubling to $10 million alongside a $20 million individual purse. The league’s growth has not been without setbacks.
While it initially fielded 12 teams and 48 players, it has since expanded to 13 teams but lost high‑profile members such as Brooks Koepka and former Masters champion Jordan Spieth in recent months. Nevertheless, the organization continues to promote its vision of a more global, entertainment‑driven golf product.
Commentators such as Sky Sports chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol have offered broader context about Saudi Arabia’s shifting investment priorities. Solhekol explained that the PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, derives its capital from oil revenues and aims to diversify the kingdom’s economy. In its latest five‑year strategy, the PIF listed seven focus areas but omitted sport as a standalone category, instead grouping it under tourism and entertainment.
"They are not ignoring sport entirely, but they are re‑evaluating how it fits into their overall portfolio and seeking a clearer return on investment," Solhekol said. He added that the PIF has already invested roughly $5 billion in LIV Golf and anticipates that the league may continue to operate at a loss for the next five to ten years. Consequently, future funding is likely to be tied to more rigorous business metrics.
"Saudi Arabia will keep investing in football, Formula 1, boxing, tennis and golf, but they will do so with a stronger emphasis on financial sense. They don’t want to be seen merely as a money‑thrower; they want deals that make economic sense," Solhekol noted.
The broader geopolitical climate also plays a role. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its ripple effects on global economies, especially in the Gulf region, have prompted Saudi leaders to adopt a more measured approach to sports spending. "They are saying to the world, ‘We will continue to invest in sport, but we will be very sensible about how we do it,’" Solhekol concluded. In summary, while rumours about reduced funding have created a cloud of uncertainty, Jon Rahm remains focused on his game and trusts that the league’s leadership will provide clarity when appropriate.
The LIV Golf organization, bolstered by substantial sponsorship deals and a commitment to evolving its format, appears intent on weathering the financial questions and continuing to offer a compelling alternative to traditional tours. Whether that vision will fully materialize depends on the PIF’s future strategic choices, but for now, the players on the course are concentrating on competition rather than speculation.