Sergio García made it clear that he cannot add any new information about the status of LIV Golf beyond what players have already been told, as speculation about the league's future continues to swirl. The talk intensified this week as the tour prepared for its latest tournament in Mexico City, with rumors emerging on social media on Tuesday night that the venture might be in jeopardy. The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that senior officials from LIV Golf were called into an "emergency meeting" in New York.
Shortly after, the Financial Times cited sources suggesting that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the financial engine behind the league, was considering scaling back its backing, though no definitive decision had been reached. According to Sky Sports, many of the players are confused and are seeking reassurance.
However, team captains – including García, who serves as a captain for one of the squads – say they have not received any concrete notice of an imminent announcement. On the ground at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City, the atmosphere was business as usual on Wednesday. Competitors were out on the range and the course, preparing for the first round scheduled for Thursday.
Earlier reports that players were denied access to the venue or that the electricity had been turned off proved to be unfounded. Jon Rahm's pre‑event press conference, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, was cancelled for what LIV described as technical issues.
García's interview, however, went ahead as planned on Wednesday. When asked about the mounting speculation, the former Masters champion answered in Spanish: "Honestly, we aren't going to listen to anything except for what Yasir told us at the start of the year – that he stands behind us and that this is a long‑term project." He added, "There are always rumours, but I can't tell you anything beyond what we already know." The Golf Channel's Rich Lerner posted on X that pairings for the first round in Mexico had been released, but emphasized that the players were still awaiting clarity on their situation and would likely receive more information by mid‑afternoon. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol offered a broader perspective on the financial backdrop. He explained that Saudi Arabia appears to be reassessing how much capital it allocates to sport.
The PIF, a sovereign wealth fund that invests oil revenues to diversify the kingdom's economy, recently unveiled a five‑year investment strategy that lists seven focus areas. While sport is not named explicitly, insiders say it falls under the broader categories of tourism and entertainment. Solhekol noted, "I don't think they're abandoning sport altogether, but they are certainly re‑evaluating priorities.
The mindset seems to be 'business is business' – they want a clear return on investment. LIV Golf has already absorbed about $5 billion, and projections suggest it would continue to lose money for another five to ten years if fully funded." He continued, "Going forward, Saudi Arabia and the PIF will likely keep supporting football, Formula 1, golf, boxing and tennis, but each deal will need to make solid business sense. They don't want the perception of simply throwing money at any sport or athlete that shows up in the kingdom." Solhekol also referenced the ongoing war in the Middle East and its ripple effects on global economies, especially those in the Gulf.
"In that context, Saudi Arabia is sending a message: we will keep investing in sport, but we will do so with a very measured, sensible approach." LIV Golf, launched in 2021 with PIF funding, was designed as a direct competitor to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Its arrival fractured professional golf, prompting several high‑profile players – Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson among them – to jump to the breakaway circuit. Initially the tour featured 54‑hole events, but it announced a shift to 74‑hole tournaments for the 2026 season in hopes of securing Official World Golf Ranking points.
Alongside that change, the prize fund was set to increase to $30 million, with the team component rising to $10 million and the individual purse staying at $20 million. The league started with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 squads. However, recent months have seen the departure of notable figures such as five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka and former Masters winner Patrick Reed.
Koepka has rejoined the PGA Tour, while Reed is pursuing reinstatement for the 2027 season and is currently competing on the DP World Tour. Both players announced their moves on social media. Koepka posted, "Since I was a kid I dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour, and I’m thrilled to announce I’m returning.
Being closer to home and spending more time with my family makes this especially meaningful. I believe in where the PGA Tour is headed with new leadership, new investors, and an equity program that gives players a real ownership stake." Reed wrote, "After careful thought, my family and I have decided I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour. I’m a traditionalist at heart and was born to play on the PGA Tour, where my story began with my wife, Justine. I’m moving forward in my career and look forward to competing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
I can’t wait to get back out there and revisit some of the best places on earth." At the 2026 Masters, Koepka and Reed tied for 12th place, while many LIV players struggled. Tyrell Hatton was the lone bright spot, finishing tied for third at ten under, just two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. Five of the ten LIV 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, finishing tied for 38th and 52nd respectively.
Dustin Johnson ended up tied for 33rd, and Charl Schwartzel placed 54th. The future of LIV Golf remains uncertain, but García's message was unequivocal: until the league's leadership provides a definitive update, players will continue to operate under the guidance they received at the start of the year, hoping that the project endures despite the swirling rumours.