LIV Golf player reacts to reports of emergency meeting: "Hopefully it's a merger"

BREAKING NEWS: PIF TO CUT LIV GOLF FUNDING AT END OF SEASON

LIV Golf players are preparing for business as usual this week in Mexico despite a wild report suggesting the league could disband immediately.

The rumour mill went into overdrive on Wednesday morning after golf reporter Ryan French, aka acaseofthegolf on X, claimed he had heard from multiple sources that a "bombshell announcement" about LIV's future is imminent. 

Speaking on X Spaces on 14 April, French claimed his sources told him that LIV is "shutting down", adding that players and staff haven't been paid this month. 

Former Masters champion Jon Rahm was due to take part in a pre-tournament news conference yesterday ahead of LIV's stop at Club de Golf Chapultepec. 

But the media centre was closed, according to Telegraph Sport's James Corrigan, and journalists were told they were experiencing electrical difficulties. 

Corrigan also reports that LIV executives were summoned to a meeting in New York yesterday, with the reason for the gathering a complete mystery. 

The meeting had absolutely nothing to do with LIV's financiers, the Public Investment of Saudi Arabia, announcing a deal with the European-based DP World Tour, according to the report. 

The publication say they have reached out to multiple LIV Golf players for comment on the latest development. 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one said: "I'll be honest. None of the players have heard anything. 

"It's hopefully a merger. Everyone gathers at Augusta don't they?"

The player was referring to the fact LIV Golf's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, attended the 2026 Masters Tournament alongside many of the sports power brokers. 

Augusta National chairman, Fred Ridley, even thanked the breakaway league shortly after placing the coveted green jacket on Rory McIlroy's shoulders. 

It was the second year in a row O'Neil attended the first men's major of the year. 

Last April, O'Neil's appearance at Augusta National came weeks after it was confirmed LIV had resubmitted their bid to be accredited by the sports global rankings body. 

LIV Golf were officially recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) before their 2026 season kicked off in Riyadh. 

Although LIV immediately hit out as the OWGR decided to only award points to the top 10 finishers at its events. 

LIV Golf launched in 2022, luring several major champions from the PGA Tour with lucrative contracts. 

The PGA Tour responded by suspending the defectors, triggering lawsuits and plunging the sport into a "civil war". 

In June 2023, the organisations announced a shock "framework agreement" with the ultimate goal of merging commercial operations. 

The litigation was dropped but the deal, which also included the DPWT, has never been ratified. 

Since Jon Rahm's arrival in December 2023, LIV have failed to secure a bona fide star to their roster. 

Victor Perez, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Elvis Smylie and Ben An joined LIV over the winter. 

Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed were among the first crop of players to be recruited by LIV Golf in 2022 alongside Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith. 

But after four seasons with LIV, Koepka and Reed end their association with the breakaway. 

Koepka announced in December he was able to leave, despite having several months remaining on his contract. 

The five-time major champion was able to return to the PGA Tour in January via a hastily-enacted returning member programme. 

Reed's contract had expired but the US golfer, nicknamed Captain America, will have to wait until later in the summer to make his first start on the PGA Tour. 

Kevin Na, Hudson Swafford and Pat Perez have been reinstated to the PGA Tour but will have to wait until 2027 to return. 

LIV Golf have staged five events this season. 

Once again, their stop in Australia was a roaring success - with former PGA Tour star Anthony Kim claiming his first win after a 12-year absence. 

Before the 2026 Masters, LIV also visited South Africa for the first time. Tens of thousands poured through the gates in Johannesburg. 

TV audiences continue to be a source of frustration for LIV Golf, though.