LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil moved quickly to silence the swirling gossip about the league’s financial outlook by sending a firm memo to all staff. In the note he affirmed that the 2026 campaign will go ahead exactly as scheduled, uninterrupted and "at full throttle." The internal communication, a copy of which was provided to the Associated Press on Wednesday night, arrived after a day packed with headlines suggesting that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund might be pulling back its backing of the breakaway circuit. The Daily Telegraph reported that LIV Golf executives were summoned to an emergency meeting in New York, while the Financial Times later added that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the Saudi state‑run vehicle that bankrolls the venture – was reportedly on the brink of trimming its support, although no final decision had been taken.
Earlier this year, the newsletter Money in Sport disclosed that LIV Golf had already poured $5.3 billion into its operations and was projected to exceed $6 billion by year‑end. Sky Sports noted a great deal of confusion among players, many of whom are seeking reassurance, but said that none of the team captains had received any word about an imminent announcement. In his memo O'Neil wrote, "I want to be crystal clear: our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle. While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass.
We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organisation that is bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before." The memo left one key question unanswered: how long the current flow of Saudi money will last. LIV Golf launched in June 2022 after the PIF pledged roughly $1 billion in signing bonuses to lure several of the PGA Tour’s biggest names, including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm. This year the league raised the total prize pool for individuals and its 13 franchise teams to $30 million.
Since its inception, the circuit has seen a few high‑profile departures. Koepka re‑joined the PGA Tour earlier this year under certain conditions, and Patrick Reed has shifted his focus to the DP World Tour, positioning himself for a possible PGA Tour return in 2027 via the DP World Tour points race. Questions about the longevity of the funding resurfaced when the PIF unveiled a new five‑year investment strategy covering 2026‑2030.
The fund described the plan as a "natural evolution" from a period of rapid expansion to a phase of sustained value creation, emphasizing greater efficiency, impact, and rigorous governance. The strategy was drafted before the recent US‑Israel conflict over Iran, and PIF governor Yasir Al‑Rumayyan – a golf enthusiast who championed the creation of LIV – told the Financial Times that the war would inevitably add pressure to re‑evaluate priorities. Players on the ground at Chapultepec Golf Club, where the LIV Mexico event was set to begin on Thursday, were left without concrete answers as speculation ran rampant. "Honestly, we aren't going to listen to anything except what Yasir told us at the start of the year – that he is behind us and that they have a project for many years," said Sergio García, captain of the Fireballs GC, speaking in Spanish.
"There are always a lot of rumours. I can't tell you anything more than we already know." One anonymous player claimed Al‑Rumayyan met with the roster in early March in Hong Kong and confirmed that funding would be secured through 2032.
The same source said O'Neil arrived in Mexico City on Wednesday and was scheduled to meet the players in person. LIV Golf promoted the Mexico tournament on its social channels with a cheeky tagline: "Slow news day? We are ON." The league has already staged five events this season – in Saudi Arabia, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa – and celebrated a dramatic win in Australia when Anthony Kim captured the title after a 12‑year hiatus caused by personal struggles with addiction. DeChambeau, a two‑time U.S.
Open champion, won the last two LIV tournaments in playoff fashion and now aims to become the first player to claim three consecutive victories. Despite the on‑course excitement, the league’s broader strategy remains focused on global expansion. Its first U.S. tournament is slated for May 7‑10 at Trump National in northern Virginia, marking a significant milestone for a circuit that has largely been an international showcase.
"The life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure," O'Neil reflected. "We signed up for this because we believe in disrupting the status quo.
We have faced headwinds since the jump, and we've answered every time with resilience and grace. Now, we answer by doing what we do best: putting on the most compelling show in sports." He concluded his staff note with a rallying call: "We are pioneers, and while the road isn't always smooth, the destination is worth every mile.
Let's go out and show the world why LIV Golf is the future of the game." Legal challenges continue to hover over the venture. In a filing dated April 16, the Premier Golf League – a separate breakaway concept that pre‑dated LIV – sued the Public Investment Fund, Golf Saudi, various LIV entities and two individuals in the London Commercial Court, alleging breach of contract and other claims. Golf analyst Paul McGinley, speaking on the Golf Channel, described the situation as "fast‑developing" and suggested that while nothing is officially confirmed, trusted insiders believe something serious is brewing.
He noted that both LIV and PGA Tour players now possess unprecedented leverage, a shift first highlighted by Phil Mickelson, who observed that professional golfers have never before held such bargaining power. McGinley added that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rollap is under pressure to generate more revenue while trimming overhead, and that the prize money on the LIV circuit – often four to four‑and‑a‑half million dollars for the winner – creates a "false economy" that may eventually need correction. Overall, the Saudi‑backed league has reshaped professional golf by offering massive signing bonuses and elevated prize funds, prompting a split among elite players. While the PIF’s new investment horizon suggests a more measured approach to sport spending, O'Neil’s memo makes clear that, for now, the 2026 season will press on at full speed, with players, staff and fans urged to stay focused on the competition unfolding on the fairways.