LIV Golf has endured a difficult few months as it continues to fight for a future in the golf landscape.
Having launched to much fanfare in June 2022, there are doubts about whether the league will play in in 2027 after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund withdrew its lucrative backing in April.
6
Jon Rahm won the LIV Golf Individual Points LIst for a third successive seasonCredit: Getty
Billions of dollars were pumped into the breakaway circuit four years ago, luring the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia with lucrative nine figure deals.
Those deals led to an acrimonious split with the PGA and DP World Tours who banned the LIV rebels from playing on their tours and in some cases Ryder Cup selection.
Recruitment continued to attract big names, Phil Mickelson was lured across for $200 million, while Australia’s Cam Smith signed a $140 million deal just weeks after winning the Open.
Masters champion Jon Rahm signed the biggest deal in LIV history in December 2023, when he penned a $300 million contract that included the launch of his own team through brought Tyrrell Hatton to the circuit.
MORE FROM GOLF
Playing for almost $500 million in prize money over each of the last four years has come at a cost, and on the heels of the PIF withdrawing it’s funding, the circuit’s CEO Scott O’Neill has been seeking investment to stay alive.
The next step of that, according to a report by the Financial Times, suggests that LIV Golf is considering filing for bankruptcy in the coming weeks.
The idea being that such a move would insulate them moving forward with a scaled down version of it’s current 14-event season.
Even this year, the LIV events in Louisiana in June and the season ending Team Championship in Michigan last weekend have been postponed.
Talks have been ongoing for months with private investment firm BC Partners, but there has been little in the way of news regarding any 2027 season.
Some suggestions over a new look global series for the circuit seem in direct competition with the DP World and PGA Tour plans for tournaments that would unite the circuits like never before, per The Telegraph.
6
Bryson DeChambeau is one of many LIV players seeking clarity on the 2027 seasonCredit: AFP
6
Following the PIF withdrawal of funding at the end of the 2026 season the circuit’s future is unclearCredit: Getty
The DP World Tour has previously said that players on an future prospective LIV circuit could face fines or bans for playing in events that clash with their own schedule
LIV’s arrival has forced the previous at odds European and American circuits to work together to overhaul their prize money and co-operation.
Amidst those talks, a large number of LIV staff have been made redundant, while players are reportedly being sent settlement offers for those who contracts go beyond 2026.
Spain’s Rahm is one such player, recently admitting that he has ‘several years left’ on the deal he signed.
“I’m pretty sure they did a pretty good job when they drafted that,” he said in May, before LIV Golf Virgina.
“I don’t see many ways out. Right now, I’m not really thinking about it because we still have a season to play and majors to compete for.
“It’s not something I want to think about just yet.”
6
Rahm’s intention is to be on the European Ryder Cup team in 2027Credit: GettyWhat is the future for LIV Golf?
With funding sought, LIV bosses are desperately scrambling to keep their circuit alive and retain legitimacy.
While the team element has remained in place throughout its four years, this year saw tournaments extended from three rounds to four.
Having initially found themselves shut off from the rest of the golfing work, especially the majors and world rankings the circuit has won some of those battles.
More doors opened to the majors for player performances on the LIV circuit in 2026, while events were also given world golf ranking status this year.
6
Patrick Reed is a two-time winner on the DP World Tour this yearCredit: Getty
6
Five-time major champion returned to the PGA Tour in JanuaryCredit: Getty
Hanging over the LIV rebels had been the prospect of bans from the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and question marks over Ryder Cup eligibility.
However this year Rahm settled a dispute with the DP World Tour, given him a door back to the European Ryder Cup team in 2027.
PGA Tour officials also offered a window for players – specifically major champions and Players Championship winners who had been away for two years – under the ‘Returning Member Program.’
Patrick Reed has been playing on the DP World Tour and as of August 26 became eligible to return to the PGA Tour, while Koepka returned at the Farmers Insurance Open in January.
It shows there is a pathway for a return but compromise is needed, and there are some players who have refused to back away from the lucrative deals they signed when LIV Golf shook up the golf world.
Read More on talkSPORT
Amidst all that, Rahm claimed his third individual title, topping the 2026 money list with just under $20 million across the year to also scoop a $6 million bonus.
What the future looks like for the rest of the players, and the LIV circuit will be determined in the weeks ahead.