May 2, 2026 — Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has formally notified LIV Golf players that it will cease all financial support for the golf league after the 2026 season, according to The Wall Street Journal and multiple other media outlets. The decision marks a pivotal moment for LIV Golf, which has reshaped the golf landscape since its founding in 2021.

The Funding Cut

Since its inception, LIV Golf has been entirely funded by Saudi Arabia’s PIF. Estimates suggest the fund has injected over $2 billion into the league, covering player signing bonuses, event purses, and operational costs. The league attracted top players including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka with signing deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

With PIF funding withdrawing, LIV Golf has immediately begun restructuring. The league has appointed a new independent board of directors in an attempt to achieve self-sustaining operations.

Uncertain Future for Players

Sports investors paint a pessimistic picture for LIV Golf’s prospects without Saudi backing. The Athletic, part of The New York Times, reports that investors predict a “free fall” for the league.

For players who have come to rely on LIV Golf’s generous compensation, the outlook is equally uncertain. Several star players’ contracts expire at the end of the season, potentially forcing them to return to the PGA Tour or seek alternative leagues. However, whether the PGA Tour will welcome back players who previously “defected” remains an open question.

Trump Weighs In

Trump commented on LIV Golf following the news of Saudi funding withdrawal. On social media, he suggested that golf should “come together,” hinting at a potential merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. The Trump family’s business has had close commercial ties with LIV Golf.

Broader Impact on Golf

LIV Golf’s founding disrupted the traditional golf tournament landscape, driving up player compensation and innovating event formats. Its withdrawal or transformation will have ripple effects across the global golf industry:

• PGA Tour: May reassert its dominance but loses the competitive pressure that drove reform
• Player Earnings: Mid-tier and lower-tier players may see income decline, as LIV Golf’s presence had pushed up overall compensation levels
• Tournament Landscape: Golf may return to a single-dominant-league structure

The Guardian analyzes that LIV Golf is “racing against time” to find new investors, but no substantive external investment interest has emerged so far.

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, Al Jazeera