LIV Golf collapsed after the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which had injected $6 billion into the league over five years, walked away. The league announced on Thursday it would not proceed with its planned LIV 2.0 relaunch, leaving players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm without a clear future. According to the New York Post, LIV’s attorneys told a New Jersey bankruptcy court that the debtors have halted the LIV 2.0 plan, effectively ending the tour.
The collapse came a day after BC Partners pulled a $300 million financing offer when negotiations with top golfers failed. LIV Golf now must liquidate its remaining assets to cover debts. The league’s statement, reported by ESPN, said it would “remain open to, and continue to consider, any value-maximizing alternatives with third parties that might arise throughout the wind-down process.” However, industry observers doubt a sale is likely, given the Saudi fund’s inability to make the venture profitable despite massive investment.
LIV Golf also faces financial complications from tax rules. The league had hoped to use Net Operating Losses to reduce future tax bills, but that depended on continuing operations and eventually generating profits. Bankruptcy analyst Blanka Wolfe told ESPN, “If they don’t make money going forward, those NOLs are not useful. They’re not cash. They only offset future profits.” With liquidation, those tax credits become worthless.
Bryson DeChambeau’s position is unusual. The 2025 U.S. Open champion had publicly backed LIV Golf and tried to help relaunch the league. On the “Figuring Out” podcast, he said, “The business model makes a lot of sense,” but he never signed a commitment to LIV 2.0. DeChambeau has full playing rights for 2027 on the DP World Tour. By finishing in the top 10 of the 2027 Race to Dubai money list, he can regain his PGA Tour card for the following season. To do so, he must file paperwork by November 14. He is scheduled to compete at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa from December 3-6, offering a clear path back to major tournaments.
Other prominent LIV players face a longer wait to return. Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, and others who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf cannot rejoin without facing disciplinary action. ESPN reports that based on the penalty Patrick Reed received when returning to the PGA Tour in January, these players will not be eligible until August 24, 2027. That date marks the one-year anniversary of their last LIV Golf event outside Indianapolis.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp invited Brooks Koepka, DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith to rejoin the tour. Only Koepka accepted. At the PGA Tour’s request, Koepka donated $5 million to charity and gave up equity and other bonuses in exchange for reinstatement. Rolapp said the offer was one-time only. The tour is not willing to extend the same terms to the rest of the LIV golfers.
With the league shutting down and financing evaporated, questions now turn to the players’ futures and the financial fallout from the league’s collapse. DeChambeau’s ability to navigate back to the majors contrasts sharply with the uncertain paths for many others left in limbo.
According to Yahoo Sports.
