LIV Golf CEO Vows Season to Continue 'Full Throttle' Amid Uncertainty

Despite reports of potential funding pullback, LIV Golf says it will forge ahead with its 2026 schedule as planned.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A fractured, abstract painting depicting a LIV Golf tournament scene, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in a muted color palette, conveying the uncertainty surrounding the league's future.The uncertain future of LIV Golf is reflected in a fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration capturing the league's high-energy events.Indianapolis Today

After reports surfaced that LIV Golf's financial backer, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, was considering pulling its funding, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil sent an email to staff stating that the league's season will continue 'uninterrupted and at full throttle.' O'Neil's message came as LIV players were preparing for this week's event in Mexico City, where the scene was described as 'business as usual.' However, behind the scenes, LIV executives were reportedly summoned to an emergency meeting in New York City amid the uncertainty.

Why it matters

LIV Golf has faced significant challenges since its inception in 2022, including heavy financial losses and struggles to attract large TV audiences. The potential pullback of funding from the Saudi PIF could jeopardize the league's future, raising questions about its ability to sustain its high-profile events and player contracts.

The details

The reports of the PIF's potential funding pullback came the same day the fund announced a strategic shift to focus more on 'value creation' and 'highest standards of governance.' This comes as Saudi Arabia has faced cuts in oil production due to the war in Iran. Despite the uncertainty, LIV players continued with their preparations for this week's event in Mexico City, with Sergio Garcia stating the players have not heard anything different from what they were told at the start of the year about the PIF's long-term commitment.

  • On Wednesday, reports surfaced that the Saudi PIF was considering pulling its funding from LIV Golf.
  • LIV players were in Mexico City this week preparing for the league's next event.

The players

Scott O'Neil

The CEO of LIV Golf who sent an email to staff stating the league's season will continue 'uninterrupted and at full throttle' despite the uncertainty.

Sergio Garcia

A LIV Golf player who said the players have not heard anything different from what they were told at the start of the year about the PIF's long-term commitment.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan

The governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which is the financial backer of LIV Golf.

Brian Rolapp

The new CEO of the PGA Tour, who has been leading the Tour's efforts to recreate itself with a new competitive structure.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who hosted a meeting between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour in February 2025 in an attempt to find a path forward, but the sides ultimately went their own directions.

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What they’re saying

“Our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle. While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass.”

— Scott O'Neil, CEO, LIV Golf

“We haven't heard anything other than what Yasir [Al-Rumayyan] told us at the beginning of the year. That he's behind us, that they have a long-term project. You know there are always a lot of rumors, and I can't tell you anything more than what we already know.”

— Sergio Garcia, LIV Golf Player

What’s next

LIV Golf's next event is scheduled for May 7-10 at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, followed by the PGA Championship at Aronimink in Philadelphia the following week.

The takeaway

The uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf's future funding highlights the significant challenges the league has faced since its inception, including heavy financial losses and struggles to attract large TV audiences. While LIV's CEO has vowed the season will continue, the league's long-term viability remains in question as it seeks to find a sustainable path forward.