Report: LIV Golf funding from Saudi PIF nears potential cut

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is on the verge of withdrawing support for LIV Golf, according to a report from the Financial Times, in a move that could bring the breakaway league to an abrupt end.

The stunning report states that “an announcement on the future of the kingdom’s involvement in LIV... could come as soon as Thursday,” raising immediate uncertainty over the future of the Saudi-backed circuit.

LIV Golf, launched in 2022 and now in its fifth season, has been one of the most disruptive forces in modern professional golf. 

But its long-term viability has increasingly come under scrutiny, with the Financial Times noting the league has “racked up huge losses since being set up five years ago.”

The potential withdrawal of funding would mark a significant setback for Saudi Arabia’s near $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund. 

As reported in the FT, “the demise of LIV would represent a significant blow to the kingdom’s near $1tn Public Investment Fund, which has invested about $5bn in the tour.”

The situation comes amid a broader strategic shift within the PIF. 

The fund this week unveiled a new five-year plan designed to refocus spending priorities, with governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan acknowledging external pressures, stating: “of course the war would add more pressure to reposition some priorities.”

While no final decision has yet been confirmed, uncertainty is clearly mounting. 

According to FT's latest report, “no final decision has yet been made on the future of the LIV project,” although PIF is said to be “actively considering the extent and duration of its support.”

In a further bombshell update from Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard, he has spoken to “players and vendors” who “hadn’t gotten paid for the last few weeks” on LIV Golf. 

Hoggard also added that there was uncertainty if this morning’s pro am in Mexico would go ahead but it did.

Speculation around LIV Golf’s future intensified late Tuesday following widespread social media chatter suggesting a major development was imminent. 

That quickly escalated into rumours of a potential shutdown — a scenario that, given the league’s ongoing challenges, would not come as a complete surprise.

Despite its enormous financial backing, LIV has struggled to establish a sustainable foothold. 

The Financial Times highlights that LIV’s model was always a long-term play, with chief executive Scott O’Neil previously admitting the league “wouldn’t be profitable for another five to 10 years.” 

Financial losses have already been significant, with its UK entity reportedly losing nearly $500 million in 2024 alone.

Although LIV succeeded in attracting elite names such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau with lucrative contracts, momentum has since shifted. 

High-profile players such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed quit LIV Golf at the end of 2025 to move back to the PGA Tour, while other stars in the sport have been reluctant to join due to the lack of world ranking points — a key pathway into golf’s majors. 

On the course, recent results have done little to silence critics. 

At last week’s Masters, LIV players largely underperformed, reinforcing ongoing concerns about the competitive standard of the league compared to traditional tours. Tournament favourites Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut, while Jon Rahm finished well down the board of those that made the cut.

Meanwhile, LIV Golf has continued to project a business-as-usual approach publicly. 

The league is preparing for its next event in Mexico City, scheduled to begin Thursday, with routine media duties and promotional activity continuing as planned.

Speaking ahead of the event, Fireballs GC captain Sergio Garcia dismissed the growing speculation.

“No, sincerely we haven’t heard anything,” Garcia said. “That is not what Yasir told us at the beginning of the year.”

Garcia added that Al-Rumayyan had reassured players of his long-term commitment to the project earlier this season.

Watch Garcia's comments here:

Despite what Garcia says though, the latest developments behind the scenes suggest a pivotal moment is fast approaching. 

As the Financial Times notes, any Saudi pullback “will reverberate through professional sport,” underlining the scale of what is at stake.

If confirmed, the decision would mark a dramatic turning point for LIV Golf — and potentially bring the curtain down on one of the most controversial and ambitious projects in the history of the sport.