LIV Golf has announced that it will be letting go of the bulk of its workforce starting next week, while negotiations continue to secure the organisation's long‑term viability. The decision follows the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's (PIF) declaration that its financial support will cease at the end of the 2026 season, leaving the league with no choice but to trim its headcount regardless of whether any new investment deals are sealed. The league communicated to "the majority of its staff" earlier this week that their contracts under the current LIV 1.0 structure will terminate in the first week of September.
Employees had previously been warned in July that redundancies were a possibility, and the recent notice confirms those fears. The announcement was delivered via an internal memo that also expressed gratitude for the employees' contributions and promised assistance during the transition. At present, no definitive decision has been made about how many people will be needed for any future incarnation of the tour.
LIV Golf, which previously employed more than 300 people worldwide, remains hopeful that a portion of the workforce could be rehired if a revamped version of the league – often referred to as LIV 2.0 – materialises. A league spokesperson told Sky Sports, "The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion. As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality." The spokesperson continued, "This week we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September.
We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition." The broader context for these cuts is the premature conclusion of the LIV Golf season, which ended a week early after the Team Championship in Michigan was cancelled. Chief Executive Scott O'Neil, speaking at an event in Indianapolis, expressed optimism that fresh investment could be secured and that the league could move forward.
He noted that discussions are ongoing with a potential lead investor as well as several minority investors, although any term sheet signed to fund the next season is still non‑binding and has not been finalised. Proposals under consideration include restructuring the league so that it is majority‑owned by its players, coupled with a stronger emphasis on "commercial discipline." The envisioned schedule could feature five Team Championships spread across five continents and five Signature Events that would sit alongside the traditional majors. This model aims to balance global reach with financial sustainability, addressing concerns raised by players and sponsors alike.
Player reactions have been mixed but generally supportive. Bryson DeChambeau, speaking before the season finale, urged fans to give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open‑minded." Ian Poulter echoed the sentiment, calling it "a real shame" if the league were to fold. Tyrrell Hatton, who entered the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship was cancelled, declined to comment on his own future but said, "I would expect there to be LIV next season. I know they've worked really hard to get the funding and stuff in place, so I know it's full steam ahead on that front." When pressed about his personal schedule, Hatton replied, "To be honest, I haven't thought about that – I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year.
I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf." The uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf's future has also sparked speculation about the impact on upcoming events. The Husqvarna British Masters, scheduled for the same week as the cancelled Team Championship, will proceed with a field that includes late entrants such as Hatton.
Viewers can watch all four rounds live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning Thursday at 12:30 pm. For those without a Sky Sports contract, streaming options are available via NOW, offering a contract‑free way to follow the action. In summary, LIV Golf is navigating a turbulent period marked by the withdrawal of its principal backer, a wave of staff redundancies, and ongoing negotiations with prospective investors.
While the exact shape of the next iteration remains uncertain, the league's leadership is actively seeking a model that balances player ownership, commercial prudence, and a global tournament calendar. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether LIV Golf can secure the funding needed to launch LIV 2.0 and retain a core group of staff and players for the upcoming season.