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 conversation surrounding LIV Golf's outlook intensified this week as the circuit prepared for its latest tournament in Mexico City.
Since Tuesday night, rumors have been circulating—initially on social media—that the league might be facing an existential crisis. On Wednesday, the Daily Telegraph reported that senior LIV Golf officials had been summoned to an "emergency meeting" in New York.
The following day, the Financial Times added that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the financial engine behind the venture, was reportedly on the brink of withdrawing its backing, although no definitive decision had been announced. According to Sky Sports, many of the players are confused and are seeking reassurance.
However, team captains, including García, have not received any concrete notice of an imminent announcement. On the ground at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico, the atmosphere remained normal on Wednesday. Competitors were out on the range, fine‑tuning their games ahead of Thursday's opening round. Earlier reports that players were being denied access to the course or that the venue's electricity had been turned off proved to be unfounded.
Jon Rahm's pre‑event press conference, scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled for what LIV described as "technical reasons," but García's interview went ahead as planned on Wednesday. When asked about the mounting speculation, the former Masters champion responded 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 project will run for many years," he said. He continued, "There are always rumours, but I can't tell you anything more than 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 added that players were still awaiting clarification on their status 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 may be reassessing how much capital it allocates to sport.
The Public Investment Fund, which 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 singled out, it is generally grouped under the umbrella of tourism and entertainment. Solhekol said, "I don't think they're ignoring sport entirely, but they are certainly re‑evaluating priorities.
The mindset appears to be 'business is business'—they want a clear return on investment. LIV Golf has already received about $5 billion, and even if funding continues, the tour is projected to operate at a loss for the next five to ten years." He added, "Going forward, the PIF will likely continue to support football, Formula 1, boxing, tennis and golf, but each deal will need to make financial sense. They don't want the perception of simply throwing money at every sport or athlete that shows up in Saudi Arabia." Solhekol also noted the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on global economies, especially those in the Gulf, suggesting that Saudi Arabia will adopt a more cautious, sensible approach to future sports investments.
LIV Golf, launched in 2021 with backing from the PIF, was created as a challenger to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Its arrival split professional golf, attracting high‑profile players such as Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson to the breakaway circuit.
Originally a series of 54‑hole events, LIV announced a shift to 74‑hole tournaments for the 2026 season in hopes of securing Official World Golf Ranking points. The league also revealed plans to boost the total prize fund to $30 million, with the team component doubling to $10 million alongside a $20 million individual purse. The Saudi‑funded tour began with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 teams. However, recent months have seen the departure of notable figures 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 currently competes on the DP World Tour. Both players announced their decisions on social media. Koepka wrote on X, "Since I was a kid 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 family makes this opportunity especially meaningful.
I believe in the direction the PGA Tour is heading with new leadership, investors and an equity program that gives players a real ownership stake." Reed's X post read, "After careful thought and discussion with my family, I have decided to leave LIV Golf. I am a traditionalist at heart and was born to play on the PGA Tour, where my story began alongside my wife, Justine. I look forward to competing on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour again and can’t wait to get back out there and revisit some of the world’s best courses." At the 2026 Masters, Koepka and Reed tied for 12th place, while most LIV alumni struggled to make an impact. Tyrell Hatton was the lone standout, finishing tied for third at ten under, just two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy.
Five of LIV's ten participants missed the cut at Augusta National, including two‑time major winner Bryson DeChambeau, who posted rounds of 76 and 74, the latter featuring a triple‑bogey on the 18th hole. García and Rahm also missed the cut, finishing tied for 38th and 52nd respectively, while Dustin Johnson ended tied for 33rd and Charl Schwartzel placed 54th. The future of LIV Golf remains uncertain, but the conversation is shifting from whether the league will survive to how it will evolve under tighter financial scrutiny and a more strategic investment approach from its Saudi backers.