LIV Golf files for bankruptcy and seeks restructuring with new investors
Consensus Summary
LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy in 2026 after losing the backing of its Saudi investors, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had invested over $US5 billion since the league’s launch in 2022. The bankruptcy filing comes as the league seeks to restructure its business, transition to a player-first ownership model, and secure new funding. Both ABC and the Guardian report that LIV Golf laid off most of its workforce in August 2026 and aims to return in a new form next season (2027), though specifics about the 2027 schedule remain unclear. ABC provides additional details on the financial scope of the bankruptcy, including a $US49.6 million loan, liabilities between $US500 million and $US1 billion, and assets between $US100 million and $US500 million, while the Guardian emphasizes the league’s efforts to align player interests with its future success. Contradictions exist regarding the timing of PIF’s funding cut and the exact financial ranges for liabilities and assets, but both sources agree on the core narrative of restructuring and a potential return in 2027.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy in 2026
- LIV Golf was launched in 2022
- The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has invested more than $US5 billion in LIV Golf since 2022
- LIV Golf laid off most of its workforce in August 2026
- LIV Golf aims to exit bankruptcy by early 2027
- LIV Golf intends to return in a new form next season (2027)
- LIV Golf is transitioning to a player-first ownership model
- Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are among LIV Golf’s top players
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- LIV Golf secured a $US49.6 million ($68.7 million) bankruptcy loan from the PIF
- LIV Golf has liabilities between $US500 million and $US1 billion and assets between $US100 million and $US500 million
- PIF owns 100 per cent of LIV Golf’s equity
- Rahm, DeChambeau, and Johnson are the company’s top three unsecured creditors, each owed more than $US5 million
- Jon Rahm mentioned in an interview in Indianapolis a few weeks ago that he is used to dealing with turbulence
- LIV Golf plans to exit bankruptcy by early 2027
- PIF said in April 2026 that further investment in LIV Golf no longer aligned with its strategy and would cut funding at the close of the 2026 season
- LIV Golf is seeking recognition of its US bankruptcy filing in England and Wales to cover its international assets and operations
- LIV Golf’s chief executive Scott O’Neil said the bankruptcy process will allow a ‘landmark transaction’ and ‘begin the next chapter’
- LIV Golf has not announced definitive decisions regarding the 2027 schedule or individual events
- LIV Golf is in advanced discussions with players about creating an ownership structure aligning their interests with the league’s long-term success
- PIF spent an estimated $5bn on the tour before pulling the plug this year
- LIV Golf’s new form will include a shorter schedule and reduced prize money
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states LIV Golf has liabilities between $US500 million and $US1 billion, while the Guardian does not specify a range for liabilities
- ABC mentions LIV Golf’s assets are between $US100 million and $US500 million, while the Guardian does not provide a specific asset range
- ABC states PIF cut funding at the close of the 2026 season, while the Guardian says PIF pulled the plug this year without specifying a season
- ABC says LIV Golf plans to exit bankruptcy by early 2027, while the Guardian does not specify an exit timeline
Source Articles
LIV Golf players used to 'turbulence' as league files for bankruptcy
LIV Golf files for bankruptcy, flagging a restructure with a massive loan from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection as it looks to ‘begin the next chapter’
Saudi investors stopped backing LIV this year Rahm and DeChambeau may still be involved LIV Golf, the breakaway tour that spent billions luring top players away from the PGA Tour, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US, it announced on Tuesday. 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 this year, prompting a scramble to stay afloat. Continue reading...
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