Multiple major champion outlines LIV Golf's biggest mistake: "I don't get it"

Sir Nick Faldo says LIV Golf's biggest mistake of all was making unknown players "mega rich". 

The league is reeling from the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financing and it remains to be seen whether the breakaway tour will carry on in 2027.

LIV officials remain optimistic there is a future for the circuit, but reports from last week's event in the UK suggested at least seven players are expected to leave regardless of whether organisers secure around $350m from new investors. 

The league's season-ending team championship reportedly has a five per cent chance of going ahead, according to Martin Kaymer. 

Faldo, 69, has never been a fan of LIV and has repeatedly criticised their format and players. 

He has taken aim at Jon Rahm playing "resort courses" in his shorts and questioned Bryson DeChambau's strategy. 

In 2025, he told talkSPORT that LIV was "a fail free tour" that "makes players go soft". 

In a recent interview with Today's Golfer, the six-time major champion identified what he believes was LIV Golf's biggest error: making previously unheralded players "mega rich".

"So many things are a mess," Faldo told the publication. 

He added: "Sure, you wanted a boatload of cash, and you picked the right spot for that," he said.  

"But it’s going to be meaningless if it all collapses,

"They’ve wrecked their reputations. And now they’re all clambering to come back and compete again. 

"Because that’s the whole challenge of sport – to push yourself a little further.

"I cannot believe they sat there and thought it would be great to make unknown golfers mega rich.

"What the heck? I don't get it."

Faldo also questioned whether LIV Golf's chief executive, Scott O'Neil, will secure funding. 

O'Neil reportedly has a deadline of 1 September and is bullish about their chances. 

Bryson DeChambeau has personally been involved in pitching "LIV 2.0" to investors, which will reportedly see the schedule trimmed down to 10 events from 14. 

Prize purses will also be reduced dramatically, with players getting more equity in the league. 

It's understood that LIV have narrowed the list down to two potential investors. 

"He's guaranteeing opportunities for new sponsors," Faldo said of O'Neil. 

"Well, he’s been in meetings for weeks and there’s been no word that somebody's come up with 350 million dollars. 

"Most companies will go, 'Hang on, we've had to work really hard to earn that 350 million dollars – you think we're just going to give it to something that's failing?' Good luck."