Sergio GarcÃa made it clear that he cannot add any new information about LIV Golf beyond what the players have already been told, as speculation about the tour's continuity continues to swirl. With the next tournament set to take place in Mexico City later this week, the fate of the Saudi‑backed league has become the subject of intense debate after a series of reports suggested it might be in jeopardy.
The rumor mill kicked into high gear on Tuesday night when social‑media posts hinted that LIV Golf could be facing an existential crisis. The following day, The Daily Telegraph claimed that senior LIV executives had been summoned to an "emergency meeting" in New York. Shortly thereafter, the Financial Times reported that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia – the primary financial engine behind the venture – was allegedly on the verge of pulling its backing, although no definitive decision had been announced.
According to Sky Sports, many players are confused by the conflicting messages and are eager for reassurance. However, team captains, including GarcÃa, have not received any concrete updates about an imminent announcement, leaving the roster of 48 players and the league’s broader strategy in a state of limbo. Despite the chatter, life at Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City continued as normal on Wednesday.
Players were seen practising on the fairways and greens in preparation for Thursday’s opening round. Rumours that the course had been locked down or that the electricity had been cut off proved to be unfounded. Jon Rahm’s pre‑event press conference was cancelled on Tuesday for what LIV described as "technical reasons," but GarcÃa’s interview went ahead as scheduled on Wednesday.
When asked about the growing speculation, the former Masters champion responded in Spanish, emphasizing his reliance on the words of LIV chairman Yasir Al‑Rumayyan. "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 is a long‑term project," GarcÃa said. "There are always rumours, but I can only repeat what we already know." The Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner posted on X that pairings for the first round had already been released, suggesting that the tournament would proceed, yet he noted that players were still awaiting clarification on their future with the league and expected to receive more information by mid‑afternoon. Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol offered a broader perspective on the financial backdrop.
He explained that the PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, invests oil revenues to diversify the kingdom’s economy. In its latest five‑year investment strategy, sport is no longer listed as a standalone priority; instead, it falls under the broader categories of tourism and entertainment. Solhekol argued that while sport is not being abandoned, the fund is re‑evaluating how it allocates money, seeking a clearer business case for each investment. "They have already poured about $5 billion into LIV, and the model is expected to lose money for the next five to ten years," Solhekol said.
"Going forward, Saudi Arabia will continue to back football, Formula 1, boxing, tennis and even golf, but each deal will need to make financial sense. They don’t want to be seen merely as a cash‑spending patron; they want returns and a strategic fit." He also highlighted the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, noting that global economies – especially those in the Gulf – have felt the strain. "Saudi Arabia is sending a message that it will keep investing in sport, but it will do so with a much more disciplined, sensible approach," Solhekol added.
LIV Golf was launched in 2021 with the explicit aim of challenging the established PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Backed by the PIF, the league attracted several high‑profile players, including Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson, creating a clear split in professional golf.
Initially, tournaments were 54 holes, but the format was expanded to 74 holes for the 2026 season in hopes of securing Official World Golf Ranking points. The prize fund for 2026 was slated to rise to $30 million, with the team prize doubling to $10 million and the individual purse remaining at $20 million. The league started with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 teams. However, it has recently lost two marquee names.
Five‑time major champion Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour, while former Masters champion Patrick Reed announced his intention to seek reinstatement for the 2027 season and is currently competing on the DP World Tour. Both players shared their decisions on social media. Koepka posted on X, "Since I was a kid I dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour, and I’m thrilled to announce my return. Being closer to home and spending more time with family makes this move especially meaningful." He added that he believes in the PGA Tour’s new leadership, investors and equity program that offers players a genuine ownership stake.
Reed’s X statement read, "After careful thought, my family and I have decided I will no longer compete on LIV Golf. I’m 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 Tour and DP World Tour and revisiting some of the world’s greatest courses." Both Koepka and Reed finished tied for 12th at the 2026 Masters. While some LIV alumni performed well – notably Tyrell Hatton, who tied for third at 10‑under, just two strokes behind champion Rory McIlroy – several struggled. Five of the ten LIV 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.
GarcÃa and Rahm also missed the cut, finishing tied 38th and 52nd respectively, while Dustin Johnson ended tied 33rd and Charl Schwartzel finished 54th. The uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf underscores a broader conversation about the sustainability of breakaway tours funded by sovereign wealth.
As Saudi Arabia reassesses its investment priorities amid geopolitical and economic pressures, the future of the league – and the players who have built their careers around it – remains a topic of keen interest for fans and analysts alike.