Sergio García made it clear that he cannot add any new information about LIV Golf beyond what has already been communicated to the players, as speculation about the tour's continuity continues to swirl. The uncertainty intensified after the latest event in Mexico City, where rumours of a possible shutdown began circulating on social media on Tuesday night. By Wednesday, The Daily Telegraph reported that senior LIV Golf officials had been called to an emergency meeting in New York, while the Financial Times added that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the primary financial backer of the league, was reportedly on the brink of withdrawing its support, though no definitive decision had been taken.
According to Sky Sports, many of the tour's participants are confused and are seeking reassurance. However, team captains—García included—have not received any concrete notice of an imminent announcement.
The atmosphere at Club de Golf Chapultepec on Wednesday remained normal, with players practicing ahead of Thursday's first round. Earlier rumors that access to the course had been denied or that the power had been cut proved unfounded. Jon Rahm's pre‑event press conference was cancelled in Mexico City on Tuesday for what LIV described as technical difficulties, but García's interview went ahead as scheduled on Wednesday.
Speaking in Spanish, the former Masters champion said, "Honestly, we aren't going to listen to anything except what Yasir told us at the start of the year—that he stands behind us and that they have a long‑term project." He added, "There are always a lot of rumours. 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 already been released, yet players were still awaiting clarification on their status and would likely learn more by mid‑afternoon. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol offered a broader perspective on Saudi Arabia's shifting investment strategy. He explained that the PIF, a sovereign wealth fund financed by oil revenues, is revising its five‑year investment plan.
While sport is not listed as a distinct focus area, it is expected to fall under the broader categories of tourism and entertainment. Solhekol noted, "They are not abandoning sport entirely, but they are re‑evaluating priorities and looking for a clearer business case." He further highlighted that the PIF has already poured roughly $5 billion into LIV Golf, and projections suggest the tour could continue to operate at a loss for the next five to ten years.
Consequently, future Saudi investment is likely to be more selective, favouring ventures that promise a tangible return. "They will keep backing football, Formula 1, boxing and tennis, but each deal must make financial sense," Solhekol said. He also mentioned that ongoing geopolitical tensions and the economic impact of the war in the Middle East are prompting Saudi investors to adopt a more cautious approach, emphasizing sensible spending rather than indiscriminate largesse. LIV Golf was launched in 2021 with backing from the PIF, positioning itself as a challenger to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Its arrival sparked a split within professional golf, attracting high‑profile players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson. Initially, the tour featured 54‑hole events, but it will expand to 74 holes in 2026 in an effort to secure Official World Golf Ranking points. For that year, LIV announced a $30 million total prize fund, doubling the team prize to $10 million alongside a $20 million individual purse.
The league began with 12 teams and 48 players, later growing to 13 teams. However, recent months have seen the departure of marquee names like 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 athletes explained their decisions on X. Koepka wrote, "Since childhood 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 move especially meaningful." Reed added, "After careful thought, my family and I have decided 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. I look forward to returning to the PGA and DP World Tours and revisiting some of the best courses on earth." Both Koepka and Reed finished tied for 12th at the 2026 Masters.
Meanwhile, other LIV alumni had mixed results. Tyrell Hatton, a LIV player, posted a strong tied‑third finish at 10‑under, just two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy. In contrast, five of LIV's ten participants missed the cut at Augusta National, including two‑time major champion Bryson DeChambeau, who posted rounds of 76 and 74, the latter featuring a triple‑bogey on the 18th hole. Jon Rahm and Sergio García also struggled, ending the tournament tied‑38th and 52nd respectively, while Dustin Johnson and Charl Schwartzel finished tied‑33rd and 54th.
The ongoing debate over LIV Golf's sustainability reflects broader questions about the role of sovereign wealth funds in sport, the balance between financial ambition and long‑term viability, and the impact of geopolitical factors on global sporting ventures. As the league prepares for its expanded 2026 format, all eyes will remain on the Saudi backers to see whether they will continue to pour resources into the project or shift their focus toward more immediately profitable sports investments.
Regardless of the outcome, the saga underscores how deeply intertwined modern sport has become with global finance and politics, and how players, fans, and administrators must navigate an increasingly complex landscape.