LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil Unveils New Funding Strategy as PIF Withdraws Support
With the Saudi Public Investment Fund ending its financial support after the current season, LIV Golf is restructuring its business plan to rely on team ownership shares. Two-time major champion Jon Rahm has confirmed he has multiple years remaining on his contract and has settled his dispute with the DP World Tour to regain Ryder Cup eligibility.
The future of LIV Golf is shifting away from reliance on the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has announced it will cease its financial backing of the league after the current season. This significant change in funding structure has prompted LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil to confirm that the organisation is actively developing a new business plan to secure its long-term viability.
O'Neil, who replaced Greg Norman as chief executive in January 2025, stated that the league is moving towards a model focused on team ownership rather than traditional purse structures alone. He indicated that the organisation is exploring the sale of shares in specific teams, such as Legion XIII, to create value and attract private investment. While O'Neil noted it is still early in the process, he expressed confidence that the right trajectory for revenue and cost management has been identified.
Amidst this financial restructuring, two-time major champion Jon Rahm has confirmed he remains committed to the breakaway circuit for the foreseeable future. Speaking ahead of this week's tournament, Rahm stated he has several years left on his contract and does not see many ways to exit the agreement. He emphasised that his current focus is on completing the season and competing in upcoming majors, rather than speculating on the league's future financial landscape.
The announcement of the PIF's withdrawal comes after the fund invested over $5 billion into the tour since its inception in 2022. Rahm noted that golfers had been led to believe funding would continue for many years, a situation that has now created a gap between player expectations and the league's current reality. Despite the surprise, Rahm indicated that the decision to stay is driven by the existing contractual obligations and the desire to continue competing with his teammates.
In a separate development, Rahm revealed that he has settled his long-standing dispute with the DP World Tour regarding unpaid fines. This resolution restores his eligibility to compete for the European team in next year's Ryder Cup in Ireland. The settlement involves paying approximately £2m in outstanding fines and committing to play a minimum of five DP World Tour events, effectively resolving the conflict that had barred him from the prestigious team competition.
While the league's financial model undergoes a transition, O'Neil maintained that LIV Golf will not abandon its focus on team golf formats, which have historically differentiated the tour from other professional leagues. He believes that selling shares in teams like the Crushers GC and RangeGoats GC will be the primary method for generating value. However, he cautioned that any changes to the business plan, such as reduced purses or fewer tournaments, would require significant agreement from captains, team owners, and players.
