Jon Rahm, one of the most prominent figures on the LIV Golf circuit, has publicly stated that he is not "overly concerned" about the future of the breakaway tour, even as speculation about its financial stability continues to circulate. Rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), the primary backer of LIV Golf, might be scaling back its financial commitment after the fund released a new five‑year investment plan that made no explicit reference to continued funding for the league. Despite the growing uncertainty, the latest LIV event – LIV Mexico – kicked off on Thursday at the historic Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City.
The tournament proceeded as scheduled, although the live broadcast experienced a few technical glitches that the league attributed to local power outages. Rahm, who posted a solid 65 to finish just three strokes behind the winner Victor Perez, used his post‑round interview to reassure fans and fellow players alike. "I wasn't really worried about the future of LIV," Rahm told reporters.
"Until the people in charge confirm whether the rumors are true or not, there’s no point in letting it distract me. I focused on preparing for the tournament, and that’s all that mattered to me." He added that the rapid emergence of the rumors caught him off guard, but he chose not to let them affect his performance.
"There’s always someone in the league who knows what’s happening, but the information came so quickly that I didn’t have time to worry about it," he said. The speculation intensified after the Daily Telegraph reported that LIV Golf executives had been summoned to an emergency meeting in New York. The Financial Times later suggested that the PIF was contemplating a reduction in its support, although no final decision had been announced. Money in Sport, a sports‑focused newsletter, noted in February that LIV Golf had already spent $5.3 billion and was on track to exceed $6 billion in expenditures by the end of the year.
Sky Sports confirmed that many players were seeking reassurance, yet none of the team captains had received any definitive communication about an imminent announcement. LIV Golf was launched in 2022 with a massive injection of roughly $1 billion in signing bonuses aimed at luring top PGA Tour talent, including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Rahm himself.
This year, the league raised the prize pool for individual competitors and its 13‑team format to $30 million, a significant increase designed to keep the product attractive. Scott O'Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, tried to calm the nerves during Thursday’s televised broadcast.
He emphasized the league’s growth trajectory, saying, "If we keep the revenue growth on its current path, this will be a very successful business for a long time." O'Neil highlighted that the league generated nearly half a billion dollars in sponsorship revenue last year from global brands such as Rolex, HSBC, and Aramco, positioning LIV Golf in a strong financial position. He also spoke about the league’s evolving structure, noting plans to integrate LIV events with traditional national opens. "National opens are under‑marketed and under‑developed, yet they are key to growing the game at the grassroots level," O'Neil explained.
The CEO also made a broader case for the league’s existence, stating, "If I were a PGA Tour player, I’d want LIV to survive because the prize money is compelling and competition drives business. If I were a TV network, I’d love LIV to thrive because it makes for great 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." He concluded that the benefits of a thriving LIV Golf far outweigh the drawbacks of its disappearance. LIV Golf’s origins trace back to 2021 when the PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, announced the creation of a rival tour to challenge the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. The league’s launch caused a split in professional golf, prompting several high‑profile players, including Mickelson, Rahm, and Johnson, to defect from the established tours.
Initially, LIV events were 54‑hole tournaments, but the format was expanded to 74 holes for the 2026 season in hopes of securing Official World Golf Ranking points. In addition to the format change, LIV announced a further increase in its total prize fund for 2026, boosting the team prize to $10 million and the individual purse to $20 million, bringing the overall pool to $30 million. The league started with 12 teams and 48 players, later expanding to 13 teams.
However, it has recently lost some marquee names, such as Brooks Koepka and former Masters champion Jordan Spieth, who have departed amid the ongoing funding questions. Sky Sports’ chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol provided context on the PIF’s shifting priorities. He explained that the fund’s new five‑year strategy lists seven focus areas, none of which explicitly mention sport.
"Sport now falls under the broader categories of tourism and entertainment," Solhekol said, adding that Saudi Arabia is re‑evaluating how it allocates money across its sporting investments. "They want a clear business return. So far, LIV has absorbed about $5 billion and is expected to lose money for the next five to ten years," he noted. Solhekol also pointed out that the geopolitical climate, including the war in the Middle East and its impact on global economies, especially in the Gulf region, is influencing Saudi Arabia’s approach.
"Going forward, they will continue to invest in sport, but with a much more sensible, ROI‑driven mindset," he concluded. In summary, while rumors about reduced funding have created unease among players and observers, Jon Rahm remains focused on his game and untroubled by the speculation. The league’s leadership continues to stress the long‑term vision of integrating LIV events with traditional tournaments, expanding prize money, and leveraging global sponsorships. Whether the PIF will maintain its financial commitment remains to be seen, but the narrative around LIV Golf is clearly shifting from one of sheer financial firepower to a more measured, business‑oriented strategy aimed at sustainable growth and broader appeal for fans worldwide.