Jon Rahm, one of LIV Golf's most high‑profile players, has publicly stated that he is not "too worried" about the future of the breakaway circuit, even as speculation about its financial stability continues to circulate. Rumors have been swirling that the league could lose its next round of funding after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the primary backer of LIV, released a new five‑year investment plan that made no explicit reference to continued support for the golf venture.
Despite the growing uncertainty, the most recent tournament – LIV Mexico – kicked off on Thursday at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City. The event suffered a few technical glitches during its broadcast, which LIV Golf attributed to local power outages. Rahm shot a 65, finishing just three strokes behind Victor Perez and taking second place.
When asked about the swirling gossip, he emphasized that he had not let the rumors affect his focus. "Until the people in charge told me whether the rumors were true or not, there was no point for me to dwell on them," Rahm explained.
"We knew we were playing this week, so my only job was to prepare for the tournament and nothing else. When the rumors erupted so quickly, I just kept my head down and kept playing." Rahm added that there is always someone within the league who has inside knowledge, but the speed at which the speculation spread meant he chose not to waste mental energy on it. "It was all so fast that I simply didn't worry about it," he said.
The Daily Telegraph reported that LIV Golf executives were called to an "emergency meeting" in New York, and the Financial Times later suggested that the PIF was considering a reduction in its financial commitment, though no final decision had been made at that time. Money in Sport, a sports‑finance newsletter, noted in February that LIV Golf had already spent $5.3 billion (£3.9 billion) and was on track to exceed $6 billion (£4.42 billion) by year‑end. Sky Sports indicated that many players were seeking reassurance, yet none of the team captains had been briefed on any imminent announcement.
LIV Golf was launched in 2022 with a massive influx of signing bonuses—roughly $1 billion—to lure top PGA Tour talent such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and, of course, Jon Rahm. This year the prize pool for individuals and the 13‑team competition was lifted to $30 million.
Scott O'Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, tried to calm the nerves during Thursday's televised broadcast. "If we keep the trajectory we have and maintain revenue growth, this will be a very successful business for a long time," O'Neil said.
He highlighted that the league generated almost $500 million in sponsorship revenue last year, with global brands like Rolex, HSBC and Aramco on board. "From a business standpoint, we are in a wonderful position," he added. O'Neil also addressed the league's structural evolution, noting that LIV will continue to adapt as it has over the past twelve months. He hinted at a future blend of LIV events with traditional national opens, describing those tournaments as "under‑appreciated, under‑marketed and under‑developed assets" that could help grow the game at the grassroots level.
"If I were a PGA Tour player, I would want LIV to survive because the prize money is attractive and competition drives business," O'Neil argued. "If I were a TV network, I would love LIV to thrive because it makes for compelling television. If I were a journalist, it adds spice to the news cycle. And if I'm a fan, I simply want more golf to watch around the world." LIV Golf, originally launched in 2021 with funding from the Saudi PIF, was designed to challenge the established PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Its arrival created a clear split in professional golf, prompting several marquee names—Mickelson, Rahm, Johnson among them—to defect to the new circuit. Initially the format featured 54‑hole tournaments, but the league announced a shift to 74‑hole events starting in 2026, hoping to secure Official World Golf Ranking points.
For 2026, LIV also revealed an increased total prize fund of $30 million, with the team prize pool doubling to $10 million and the individual purse remaining at $20 million. The league began with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 teams, though it has recently lost high‑profile players such as Brooks Koepka and former Masters champion Jordan Spieth.
Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol provided context on the Saudi funding landscape. He explained that the PIF, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, invests oil revenues to diversify the economy.
In its latest five‑year strategy, sport was not listed as a distinct priority, though it may fall under broader categories like tourism and entertainment. "They are re‑thinking how much they invest in sport and are looking for a clear business return," Solhekol said. "LIV has already absorbed about $5 billion, and the expectation is that it will continue to lose money for the next five to ten years." According to Solhekol, the PIF will likely continue to back sports such as football, Formula 1, boxing and tennis, but future deals will be evaluated more rigorously for commercial viability. He also noted that the ongoing war in the Middle East and its economic repercussions have prompted Saudi Arabia to adopt a more measured approach to sports investment.
In summary, while rumors about the PIF scaling back its support for LIV Golf persist, Jon Rahm remains focused on his game and does not allow speculation to distract him. The league's leadership is actively seeking ways to make the business model sustainable, leveraging sponsorships, expanding prize funds and exploring partnerships with traditional national opens.
Whether these strategies will secure LIV Golf's long‑term future remains to be seen, but for now the players on the course, including Rahm, are simply concentrating on playing their best golf.