Saudi PIF Ends LIV Golf Funding After Season

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will stop funding LIV Golf after the current season, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The league plans to inform players by Thursday. The development follows weeks of speculation surrounding the PIF-backed circuit founded by Greg Norman in 2022.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil addressed earlier reports this month, stating the league remains funded through the season and must develop a sustainable business plan. He described the process as standard for private equity-backed ventures and expressed excitement over upcoming structural changes discussed at Augusta. O'Neil emailed staff assuring the season would proceed uninterrupted, though LIV later postponed its June event in New Orleans to a date to be determined.

LIV Golf launched in 2022 as a rival to the PGA Tour and has claimed two major victories: Brooks Koepka at the 2023 PGA Championship before his return to the PGA Tour, and Bryson DeChambeau at the 2024 U.S. Open. The league shifted this season from its original 54-hole format to 72 holes. Patrick Reed also plans to rejoin the PGA Tour.

Speculation surrounds the contract status of DeChambeau and Jon Rahm after this season. LIV Golf did not immediately respond to requests for comment.