Jon Rahm, one of the most prominent figures on the LIV Golf circuit, told reporters that he is not "too worried" about the future of the breakaway tour, despite a flurry of speculation about its financial stability. Rumors have been circulating that the league could face a shortfall in funding after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the primary backer of LIV, unveiled a new five‑year investment plan that made no explicit reference to continued support for the golf venture. Even as doubts grew, the latest LIV event – LIV Mexico – kicked off on Thursday at the historic Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City.
The tournament experienced a few technical glitches during the broadcast, which LIV Golf blamed on local power outages. Rahm, who posted a 65 and finished just three strokes behind leader Victor Perez, shrugged off the chatter and emphasized that he was not preoccupied with the league's financial rumors. "Until the people in charge tell me whether the rumors are true or not, there is no point in wasting time worrying about it," Rahm explained.
"We knew we were going to play this week, so my focus was simply on preparing for the tournament. When the speculation erupted so quickly, I didn’t let it distract me because we usually get a heads‑up before any rumors become public." He added that there is always someone within the organization who has the latest information, and the speed at which the news spread meant there was little cause for anxiety on his part. The media has been busy covering the situation. The Daily Telegraph reported that LIV Golf executives were summoned to an emergency meeting in New York, while the Financial Times later indicated that the PIF was contemplating a reduction in its financial commitment, though no final decision had been made.
Money in Sport, a sports‑business newsletter, disclosed 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 noted that many players were seeking reassurance, yet team captains said they had not received any definitive announcement about imminent changes. Since its launch in 2022, LIV Golf has attracted a slew of high‑profile PGA Tour players with massive signing bonuses—roughly $1 billion in total—including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rahm himself. This year the prize pool for individual competitors and the 13 teams was increased to $30 million.
Scott O'Neil, the CEO of LIV Golf, tried to calm nerves during Thursday’s televised broadcast. He argued that the league’s business model remains solid and that continued revenue growth will make the venture profitable in the long run. "Last year we generated almost half a billion dollars in sponsorship from global brands such as Rolex, HSBC and Aramco," O'Neil said.
"From a structural perspective, the business 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." O'Neil also hinted at future changes, suggesting that LIV will eventually blend its format with traditional national opens, which he described as "under‑appreciated, under‑marketed and under‑developed assets in golf." He believes that integrating these historic events will help expand the sport’s reach and attract new fans. He went on to make a broader case for the league’s survival: "If I were a PGA Tour player, I’d want LIV to survive because the prize money is attractive 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. And if I’m a fan, I simply want more golf to watch around the world. There’s far more to gain by keeping LIV alive than by seeing it disappear." LIV Golf was founded in 2021 with funding from the Saudi PIF, positioning itself as a rival to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.
Its arrival created a split in professional golf, prompting several top‑ranked players—among them Mickelson, Rahm and Johnson—to defect to the new circuit. Initially the series featured 54‑hole tournaments, but the format will shift to 74 holes starting in 2026, a move designed to help the league secure Official World Golf Ranking points. The 2026 season also promises a larger prize fund, with the total purse rising to $30 million, the team prize doubling to $10 million and the individual prize remaining at $20 million. The league began with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 teams, although it has recently lost some marquee names such as Brooks Koepka and former Masters champion Jordan Spieth.
Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol offered additional insight into the Saudi funding landscape. He explained that the PIF, a sovereign wealth fund, invests oil revenues to diversify the Saudi economy. In its new five‑year strategy, sport was not listed as a standalone priority, though it may be grouped under tourism and entertainment.
Solhekol suggested that the fund is re‑evaluating its sports investments, seeking a clearer business return. "They have already invested about $5 billion in LIV, and the league is expected to lose money for the next five to ten years," he said. "Going forward, Saudi Arabia will continue to back sports like football, Formula 1, boxing and tennis, but they will do so with a more rigorous business rationale." He also noted that global economic pressures, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, are influencing Saudi investment decisions. "Saudi Arabia wants to signal that it will keep investing in sport, but it will do so in a very sensible, financially responsible way," Solhekol concluded.
In summary, while speculation about the future of LIV Golf persists, Jon Rahm remains focused on his performance and untroubled by the rumors. The league’s leadership continues to stress its long‑term vision, emphasizing sponsorship deals, format innovations and a commitment to growing the game worldwide.
Whether the PIF will maintain its financial backing remains to be seen, but both players and executives appear determined to navigate the uncertainty and keep the competition thriving.