LIV Golf will be liquidated by early 2027 after the league failed to secure long-term funding, marking the end of a project that spent $5 billion in a bid to reshape professional golf.
From $5 Billion Ambition to Liquidation
The league, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), confirmed its intention to wind down operations, with liquidation expected by early 2027. The decision follows a period of intense financial strain, where the tour struggled to generate revenue despite massive initial investment.
In January 2025, newly appointed CEO Scott O’Neil flew to Saudi Arabia to meet with his boss, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF and LIV’s chairman. O’Neil sought to understand the longevity of the project, which began in 2021 as a pet project for the absolute monarchy, according to sources.
LIV executives frequently utilized stall tactics with vendors and contractors. While some employees went months without receiving owed payments, with reports of individuals being owed between $40,000 and $100,000, contractors were eventually made whole before the league filed for bankruptcy on Sept. 8. The final court hearing regarding the bankruptcy proceedings lasted only 13 minutes, as the league failed to attract the necessary financial backing to continue.
Players Leave PGA Tour for New Opportunities
Jon Rahm, a two-time major winner, and Lee Westwood have announced their decisions to quit the tour. Rahm, who recently captured the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, continues to influence the sport.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau of the Crushers team, has confirmed he will participate in the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa this December. DeChambeau acknowledged that his immediate future lies elsewhere, stating, “Whatever comes next, I’ll approach it with humility and respect for the people who carried this game long before me.”
Dustin Johnson, a former world No. 1 and two-time major champion, remains a point of interest for the industry. His manager, David Winkle at Hambric Sports, said that the 42-year-old has been actively testing equipment and is “hungry to play against the best competition available to him.” Despite Johnson’s status as a 20-time winner on the PGA Tour, current regulations regarding his return remain complex.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has said that the tour currently enforces a one-year ban from a player’s last LIV appearance, which would be lifted on August 24, 2027, provided there are no other disciplinary matters.
For players like Charles Howell III, who is currently 42nd on the career money list, the path back depends on specific exemptions that require 15 starts in 2027.
The Legacy of a Vanity Project
The collapse of LIV Golf concludes a turbulent period for the sport that began in 2022 with high-profile defections and accusations of sportswashing. Phil Mickelson, a key figure in the league’s formation, had previously expressed grievances regarding what he termed the PGA Tour’s “obnoxious greed.” The league’s history also includes a 2021 meeting in the Oval Office involving Jay Monahan, Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, and Al-Rumayyan, with Donald Trump presiding.
As the liquidation process continues toward an expected completion by early 2027, the league leaves behind a collection of mementos and financial remnants. These include $1.93 million in unsold merchandise, a trailer valued at $101,479.25, and 600 trademarks. When asked for comment regarding the league’s end, a spokesperson for LIV Golf did not provide answers, instead offering a bulleted list of talking points focused on the league’s previous “business momentum.”
Earlier coverage: LIV Golf set to close down after BC Partners withdraws funding
