Dustin Johnson’s awkward answer to LIV Golf funding question says it all

Dustin Johnson delivered a painfully awkward response when asked about the future of LIV Golf ahead of this week’s tournament in South Korea.

Speaking before LIV Golf Korea at Asiad Country Club in Busan, Johnson, 41, was asked for his personal thoughts on the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirming it will end funding of the breakaway league beyond the 2026 season.

His answer? “Long LIV Golf.”

That was it.

The phrase is, of course, LIV Golf’s current marketing slogan, making Johnson’s response sound more like a rehearsed company line than any genuine reaction to one of the biggest developments in the league’s short history.

The two-time major champion and former world number one has long been known for giving brief answers during press conferences, but even by his standards, this one left reporters at a loss for words.

LIV Golf originally launched with the slogan “Golf, But Louder” as it attempted to position itself as a disruptive force in professional golf. 

The switch to “Long LIV Golf” was viewed as an effort to soften the league’s image and present itself as a long-term fixture in the sport.

Johnson’s comments come at a critical time for LIV Golf after confirmation last month that the PIF will stop financing the league after this season.

The majority of players on LIV considered the PIF would be financing the breakaway league until at least 2030. 

But that is no longer the case as PIF will exit LIV at the end of August 2026. 

The shock decision to pull the plug on spend now means LIV faces a race against time to secure fresh investment for its 2027 season and beyond.

According to The Sun, several LIV Golf stars are now exploring plans to help fund the league themselves in a £150 million ($201m) rescue package.

The report claims Bryson DeChambeau, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are among the players involved in discussions, with contributors potentially receiving equity in a restructured version of the league.

The proposed “LIV Golf 2.0” project would also reportedly reduce the schedule from 14 events to 10 as part of efforts to create a more sustainable business model.

LIV Golf has not publicly commented on the report, but multiple options are understood to be on the table as league executives search for long-term financial backing.

Johnson, meanwhile, recently extended his own LIV Golf contract despite the uncertainty surrounding the league’s future.

DeChambeau’s future remains one of the biggest talking points though. 

The Crushers GC captain — arguably LIV Golf’s biggest star and one of the most recognisable players in world golf — is out of contract at the end of the season and continues to weigh up his options.

DeChambeau recently stated he would remain committed to LIV Golf if the league survives beyond this year, pointing to his belief in the team format and LIV’s global ambitions.

But last week he told reporters: "I'm in that weird space right now, I don't know what to do, either content creation or professional golf." 

Should LIV fail to secure future investment and extend his contract, DeChambeau would still have several avenues available to him, including focusing more heavily on his booming YouTube golf presence while continuing to compete in the four majors. 

A return to the PGA Tour could also eventually become an option, although LIV Golf players remain suspended from the US-based circuit for the foreseeable future.