LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection
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Launched in 2022, free-spending LIV Golf caused shockwaves and bitter divisions in the golf world, before losing the backing of its deep-pocketed Saudi investors earlier in 2026.
PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES – LIV Golf, the breakaway tour that spent billions of dollars luring top players away from the PGA, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States, it announced on Sept 8.
Launched in 2022, free-spending LIV caused shockwaves and bitter divisions in the golf world, before losing the backing of its deep-pocketed Saudi investors earlier in 2026, prompting a scramble to stay afloat.
“This process gives us the structure and time to pursue a landmark transaction and begin the next chapter of LIV Golf,” said chief executive officer Scott O’Neil, whose organisation had already laid off the majority of its staff earlier in September.
O’Neil said LIV intends to return in a new form in 2027 “built around the fans, an innovative, player-first ownership model, and a part of the global golf ecosystem”.
But “no definitive decisions regarding the 2027 schedule or individual events are being announced at this time”, the statement added.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had spent an estimated US$5 billion (S$6.3 billion) on the tour before abruptly pulling the plug.
LIV is also seeking recognition of the US bankruptcy filing in England and Wales to cover its international assets and operations.
LIV officials have pledged that a “2.0” version of the tour will re-emerge under new investors next season, with a shorter schedule and reduced prize money, but that remains deeply uncertain.
Much will depend on whether top stars, including Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, remain. Rahm, DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson are the company’s top three unsecured creditors, according to the petition. Each is owed over US$5 million.
The Sept 8 statement said the company “remains in advanced discussions” with players, including on “creating an ownership structure aligning players’ interests with the League’s long-term success”.
Widespread reports have linked several LIV stars with potential returns to the PGA Tour and other series, though the PGA said it currently has no plans to offer LIV players a pathway back. AFP