LIV Golf Louisiana postponed as officials highlight PGA Tour event first in joint statement

LIV Golf Louisiana, scheduled to take place from 25–28 June at Bayou Oaks’ South Course in New Orleans, has been officially postponed, according to multiple reports on Monday and a subsequent joint statement from Louisiana officials.

Local broadcaster WDSU and New Orleans outlet NOLA first reported that the event would no longer go ahead as planned, with sources indicating the State of Louisiana agreed to delay the tournament while LIV Golf undergoes financial restructuring and explores new investment opportunities.

The tournament had originally been slated for the week after the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, but it has now been removed from the 2026 LIV Golf League schedule, for now. 

In a joint statement, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois confirmed that the postponement came at the request of LIV Golf itself, following direct discussions with league leadership.

“First, we want to thank Zurich and PGA TOUR leadership for another outstanding tournament this past weekend. We are proud of the continued partnership and the opportunities this event brings to our state each year,” read the joint statement. 

"Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall.”

The statement therefore makes clear that the decision was not imposed by the state, but rather initiated by LIV Golf as it considers rescheduling the tournament later in the year.

The statement also addressed the financial arrangements already in place between the state and LIV Golf, revealing that Louisiana had committed significant funding to support the event.

“The state has already paid $3.2 million in accordance with the contract. LIV is expected to return all state incentive funds, with the exception of the $2 million already invested in upgrades for City Park, ensuring those improvements remain in place for the community,” continued the statement. 

This clarifies that while most of the public funds will be returned, a substantial portion has already been used for infrastructure improvements at City Park, which will remain as a lasting benefit regardless of the tournament’s delay.

Officials struck a diplomatic tone regarding the situation, emphasising continued cooperation with the Saudi-backed league.

“We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year.”

Despite the setback, Louisiana officials appear committed to hosting a LIV Golf event in the future, potentially later in 2026.

“We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort. Louisiana continues to move forward with strong momentum and we remain focused on opportunities that deliver value for our communities,” concluded the statement. 

The wording reinforces that discussions are ongoing and that a rescheduled tournament in the autumn remains a possibility.

The postponement comes at a turbulent time for LIV Golf. Just two weeks ago, reports emerged suggesting the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to withdraw funding of the league beyond the 2026 season.

If confirmed, such a move would force LIV Golf to secure new investment ahead of 2027, raising questions about long-term stability.

The PIF has pumped an approximate $5 billion into LIV Golf since inception in June 2022. 

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has publicly pushed back against funding issues, insisting the league is continuing “full throttle” and enjoying its strongest period in operation. 

Several LIV players, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Ian Poulter, have also defended the league, maintaining confidence in its future despite mounting scrutiny.

Nevertheless, critics and analysts continue to question the sustainability of the LIV model, particularly in light of ongoing financial speculation and now a disrupted event schedule.

The removal of LIV Golf Louisiana creates a significant gap in the league’s calendar. 

Following the conclusion of LIV Golf Andalucia on 7 June, there will now be no LIV event for six weeks until LIV Golf UK begins on 23 July.

Such a hiatus is unusual for a global league attempting to maintain momentum and visibility, and it further underlines the significance of the Louisiana postponement.

One particularly notable aspect of the joint statement was its opening focus on the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which took place at TPC Louisiana last week. 

The PGA Tour's sole team event of the season, won by English brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick, was praised before any mention of LIV Golf, a detail that did not go unnoticed by industry observers.

Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter highlighted the significance of that framing on social media, suggesting the decision to lead with praise for a PGA Tour event while addressing a LIV Golf postponement was unlikely to be accidental.

That sentiment was echoed by golf fans on X, with one user writing: “Nice little dig at mentioning the PGAT first. They're p****d.”

Many other fans expressed similar views, interpreting the ordering of the statement as a subtle message amid the ongoing tension between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

For now, LIV Golf Louisiana will not be staged from 25-28 June, with attention turning to whether the event can be successfully rescheduled for later in the fall. 

While state officials have expressed optimism about a future tournament, the situation ultimately depends on LIV Golf’s broader financial position and strategic direction in the months ahead.

What is clear is that this latest development adds another layer of uncertainty to a league already under intense scrutiny — and raises further questions about what comes next for LIV Golf beyond 2026.