Former LIV Golf chairman makes surprise appearance in New York alongside Donald Trump

President Donald Trump attended the final round of LIV Golf New York alongside the breakaway tour's former chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan. 

Trump and Al-Rumayyan were seen together inside the clubhouse on 9 August before play got underway at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, New Jersey. 

Video footage of the pair in player dining was posted on Instagram by Bubba Watson's caddie Gabe Sauer. 

The clip showed Trump, 80, bigging up the accomplishments of nine-time major champion, Gary Player, who was also in the room. 

Al-Rumayyan can be seen in the background smiling. The pair were then photographed by the Reuters news agency leaving the clubhouse. 

Footage of Trump's address inside the clubhouse was shared on X, but it has since been deleted. Sauer has also wiped it. 

Al-Rumayyan is the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

He was the league's first chairman but stepped down on 29 April after it was confirmed that the PIF was withdrawing its financial support for tour.

It is estimated that the PIF have outlaid between $5-8bn on the renegade league. 

A spokesperson for the PIF previously said: "The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF’s investment strategy. 

"This decision has been made in light of PIF's investment priorities and current macro dynamics."

The reason for his visit at LIV Golf New York was not immediately clear. 

LIV Golf's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, has spent the last few months searching for new investors. 

O'Neil said LIV needed some $300-350m to keep the competition running in 2027. 

Earlier in the week, O'Neil claimed LIV had secured an unnamed lead investor. 

O'Neil told reporters a signed agreement with the investor is in place and he expects the transaction to be completed in September.

The next iteration of LIV Golf will reportedly feature a 10-event schedule in 2027, with a reduction in prize money. 

Specifics on the agreement are sparse, with some outlets suggestion that it is a loan. 

O'Neil declined to say how much the agreement was worth or name the investor. 

Bloomberg and the Financial Times have reported that the mystery backer is London-based private equity firm BC Partners. 

The Athletic reported on Sunday Ted Goldthorpe, the head of BC Partners, was also in attendance in Bedminster. 

According to the Financial Times, BC Partners is seeking assurances that its star players will remain with LIV as part of the deal. 

Jon Rahm has signed a contract taking him through to 2029 but is reportedly still owed $150m. 

Bryson DeChambeau's contract expires at the end of the season. 

The FT that the PIF is considering paying off player contracts at a discount to settle any potential liability as well as to avoid bad publicity. 

In that scenario, it would leave the likes of DeChambeau and Rahm to sign fresh deals with BC Partners that would include cash as well as equity in the new league. 

Rahm has remained tight-lipped about his future. 

DeChambeau told The New York Post that he would like to be able to play on the PGA Tour and LIV in the future. 

"I think that's best for golf," he said. "I'd love that. It's not an either/or mentality. It's 'can we do both?' I think that's where everybody wants to be."

He added: "There isn't a golf fan on the planet who doesn't want to see me play a big Tour event, and I get that,” he added.

"I'd love to go play events that make sense, love to play team golf, and love to play wherever they'll let me."