"My goodness" - Sir Nick Faldo blasts "pretty weak" LIV Golf 2.0 plans

Sir Nick Faldo says he doubts LIV Golf will survive for long. 

The future of the breakaway tour has been in doubt since April after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed it would retreat from funding the venture at the end of the season. 

LIV Golf say they have found a new investor to take the league forward in 2026 and beyond without the PIF, although it is understood player support is critical before a transaction can be completed.

Several high-profile players are said to be evaluating their future plans. 

European Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter admitted he is "genuinely undecided" whether to commit to LIV Golf 2.0 whilst Bryson DeChambea's latest social media message could prove to be quite ominous. 

"Well, it looks like from the outside, there's more players trying to leave LIV than trying to go to it now," Faldo told reporters ahead of the Husqvarna British Masters at The Belfry.

The six-time major champion, 69, is once again serving as the tournament host of the $3.5m DP World Tour event.

"I don't honestly know what's going to happen, but my goodness, the so-called 2.0 is going to be pretty weak if it carries on, so I doubt it," he added.

The futures of European Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm have also come under the microscope. 

Both joined LIV for the 2024 season. 

Hatton appeared to indicate his time was up with LIV last week at their season finale in Indianapolis by choosing Queen's "I Want to Break Free" as his song of choice for their party hole.

A subdued Hatton also told reporters he was desperate to catch a flight after helping his Legion XIII teammates to team championship glory.

Rahm has kept quiet on his future plans.

His situation is complicated by the fact his initial LIV contract is understood to run until 2028.

According to the Financial Times, the PIF may attempt to buy Rahm out of his contract at a reduced rate. 

There is also a chance that Rahm may get involved in a messy legal dispute should he wish to leave LIV Golf. 

"It sounds like Rahm and Tyrrell want out and want to come over and come back to playing," Faldo said. 

"Once they sort out how they feed their way back into the tour, it's going to strengthen world golf again.

"That's probably the most important thing. Guys want to get back."

Faldo's comments come 24 hours after Telegraph Sport reported that the DP World Tour is in talks with the PGA Tour to launch a global series.

The proposals may come to fruition for the 2028 season, with a total of nine events being staged across England, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, France, Spain, Italy, Australia and South Africa.

Faldo said he hoped the better players travel the world more.

"They are discussing the U.S. schedule," said Faldo.

"All we know is the DP World Tour has a huge opportunity rest of the year. 

"It's kind of ridiculous that the season ends in America next week.

"It's August! In my day, it ended like two weeks before Christmas, sort of thing.

"So, yes, they have a huge opportunity through Europe, Middle East, Asia, to keep playing all the way through.

"I hope the better players travel the world, like we used to, back in the day.

"We always started in Australia in the early season, or might have been America to Australia, and then we'd go through Europe, or rather back to America.

"Then we'd go through Europe doing the majors, backwards and forwards, and end of the year, we'd do something in Asia, Japan, South Africa.

"That was my old schedule. Yeah, I hope a few guys travel the world and do their stuff."