"They have to deal with PIF" - LIV Golf pro exposes truth about league's future

Carlos Ortiz has indicated LIV Golf's future ultimately still rests on approval from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). 

In May, the PIF announced it was withdrawing its multibillion dollar backing of the breakaway tour at the end of the season.

Based on multiple reports, LIV are seeking between $250m-$350m to keep the league going in 2027.

It has also been suggested the league is pitching a downsized model, with fewer events and reduced prize purses. 

"There's a lot of things going on," Ortiz told reporters in Spain ahead of their stop ahead of LIV Golf Andalucia. 

"We would love the league to continue. We're having the best time of our lives right now. We're traveling the world with great friends, great good golf. 

"We obviously want this to continue and showcase team golf around the world, but right now it's totally out of our control."

Ortiz added: "When it comes to the league, we can debate what could change, what could not, but [it is] totally out of our control. 

"It's not only about what the management is doing right now; they have to deal with PIF."

LIV Golf launched in 2022 and have established several popular events overseas. 

Their annual stop in Adelaide, Australia, appears to be the standout event. 

In March, LIV visited South Africa for the first time and sold more than 90,000 tickets across the week. 

Ortiz said he would like to see the league push deeper into South America.

"Chile was one of our main focus points next, and it would have been for Joaquín [Niemann] to bring all his friends and a great tournament down there," he said. 

"But these are speculations right now. We don't really know what could happen. If it was up to us, for sure we would love to bring LIV Golf all around the world, go to Argentina, to Chile, maybe to Colombia, to Brazil.

"But right now, let's worry first things first. Let's just get the next tournament going, then the next tournament, and then we'll figure it out. We are just grateful we're playing this week, and we're going to enjoy it and do our best."

Asked if he would like LIV 2.0 to focus strictly on team golf, Ortiz said he just wanted to focus on being in the present. 

"But what I've known is that if I If I do my best and we just focus on the moment, normally the future surprises you," he said. 

"It's almost sometimes better than you actually imagine it, so I am not worried. 

"We are not actually worried about it, so we are just focusing on right now.

"I wish I could tell you more answers of how team golf is going to look like or if we're going to play or not. 

"But what I can tell you is that we're committed to wherever it takes us next, and we'll do our best. 

"We're really trying to showcase what team golf looks around the world, and I think people like it.

"But it's not up to us if it's going to continue or not."