New 'LIV Golf 2.0' plans emerge as fresh report dismisses shutdown fears

Reports of LIV Golf's demise may be premature.

Just hours after Tyrrell Hatton secured his second LIV Golf title at Valderrama, fresh reporting from Flushing It has painted a far more optimistic picture of the breakaway league's future than recent claims suggesting it is nearing collapse.

Earlier this season, LIV Golf suffered a significant setback when reports emerged that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) would not continue funding the circuit beyond the end of the current campaign.

That uncertainty intensified on Sunday when Front Office Sports reported that some sources believe LIV Golf may have already staged its final event, with doubts growing over whether the league will survive beyond 2026.

However, according to Flushing It reporter Tom Hobbs, who attended LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama, plans for a revamped "LIV Golf 2.0" are actively being developed behind the scenes.

Flushing It's latest report claims LIV executives recently began presenting a new vision for the league to potential investors under the slogan: "Built by the players, for the players."

Central to those plans is a greater emphasis on player ownership, a revised tournament schedule featuring national opens, and reduced – but still substantial – prize funds.

Under the proposed structure, LIV Golf would consist of 10 team events alongside between eight and 10 national opens. The schedule would also feature five "team majors" and five "team signature events".

According to Flushing It's sources on site at Valderrama last week, the proposed team majors would be staged across five key international markets where LIV has previously enjoyed success: Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Mexico.

The signature events would largely be held in the United States around the four men's major championships.

Prize funds would depend on attracting new investment, but Flushing It reports purses are expected to range between $10 million and $15 million per event.

To put that into perspective, that is half of what they currently are in 2026. 

One LIV Golf source told the outlet: "We are very confident future purses will be above DP World Tour levels and player take-home will be in line with the PGA Tour."

Hobbs added that prize money remains one of the biggest factors influencing player commitment.

Several players reportedly indicated they would be reluctant to remain if purses dropped to DP World Tour levels, but viewed a $10-15 million range as an attractive proposition.

Despite widespread speculation surrounding LIV Golf's future, Flushing It claims player confidence remains strong.

"I've spoken directly to at least a dozen players who told me they are fully committed to LIV Golf, and if it exists, they will be there," Hobbs wrote.

The report also suggests Bryson DeChambeau is among the leading figures pushing for LIV Golf's long-term survival, despite his current contract nearing its conclusion.

According to Flushing It, the two-time major champion remains fully committed to the concept of building a global team-based golf league and is actively encouraging the project to continue.

Jon Rahm, meanwhile, is said to be taking a less hands-on role in discussions about the league's future, preferring to focus on his golf. 

However, he has reportedly urged fellow players to ignore speculation and media reports he believes contain misinformation.

Another significant component of LIV Golf 2.0 would involve increased player ownership.

Flushing It reports players could receive equity stakes either in the league itself or in team franchises, while media rights opportunities would increasingly be returned to players, allowing them greater freedom to build personal brands and secure sponsorship deals.

Field sizes remain undecided, although the shotgun-start format is expected to remain. Expansion to 15 franchises and 60 players is reportedly being considered as an upper limit.

Broadcast negotiations are also said to be progressing.

Multiple sources told Flushing It that Fox Sports would be willing to extend its relationship with LIV Golf once the league secures long-term financial certainty. 

LIV is also reportedly exploring a hybrid broadcast model combining traditional television coverage with YouTube and social media platforms in an effort to unlock new digital revenue streams.

The claims stand in stark contrast to Front Office Sports' reporting immediately after Hatton and Legion XIII took the spoils in Spain. 

According to FOS, several sources remain uncertain about whether PIF funding will continue past this month, with one executive from a LIV Golf commercial partner reportedly saying: "Every remaining tournament is on the fence."

The same source added: "I truly don't think anyone knows. LIV Golf doesn't know if or when the PIF will shut off the spigot."

With LIV Golf now entering a lengthy break before its next event at JCB Golf & Country Club in England from 23-26 July, the coming weeks could prove pivotal.

Whether LIV Golf is approaching its final chapter or preparing to launch a dramatically reshaped second phase remains unclear, but one thing is certain: the battle over the league's future is only just beginning.