# PGA and LIV Golf to merge **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** golf\ **Created:** [June 6, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102 "2023-06-06T14:31:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/61 "2026-04-30T07:24:56Z")
The news we all knew was coming. > **[LIV Golf: Saudi Arabia to withdraw funding at end of season](https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/cp3p9we4v0yo)** > > Saudi Arabia will withdraw its multi-billion dollar backing of LIV Golf at the end of the season, plunging the future of the series into doubt. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/62 "2026-08-05T17:54:14Z")
LIV Golf announced today that they have found a new funding source, from an outside investor, though the announcement says nothing about who the investor is, or how much funding LIV will be receiving. Which is, IMO, a pretty sketchy announcement, but par for the course (pun intended). > **[LIV Golf secures funding to keep league alive, CEO Scott O'Neil says](https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/49537349/liv-golf-secures-funding-keep-league-alive-ceo-scott-oneil-says)** > > LIV Golf has secured funding from an outside investor that will keep the circuit alive beyond this season, according to league CEO Scott O'Neil. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/63 "2026-08-05T18:36:49Z")
The YouTube algorithm recommended [this five-minute video](https://youtu.be/oWSUT5ls4u8) from the Wall Street Journal on the failure of LIV golf. I don’t expect anyone to watch it, but about three minutes in, the video points out that the league secured almost nothing in terms of broadcast rights, leaving it only the Saudi funding to cover costs. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/64 "2026-08-16T05:20:20Z")
Completely unnamed “new funding source” with zippo details about how much, when, why, etc. This comes across exactly like the AAF, which was bleeding to death for every single day of its existence, yet the guys in charge insisted on smiling and thumbs-upping and constantly shouting “Everything’s going to be fine!” to the bitter end. I really think that someone at the top, for whatever reason, sees failure as a crushing failure or an unbearable shame (as opposed to what these things always are, i.e. poorly thought out abortive spite ventures that are doomed to fail, which is why reasonable people just shrug when that happens) and is fighting absolute tooth and nail to prevent that for as many milliseconds as humanly possible. My prediction is that the well truly runs dry sometime in '27, the end is announced in a series of stammering tweets, there’s one perfunctory “LIV IS NOT DEAD!!” video on YouTube, Fox Sports does a respectful hour-long tribute, and ESPN just cracks a few bad jokes on Sportscenter before kicking off team synchronized beer shuffleboard or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/65 "2026-08-16T10:08:26Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Completely unnamed “new funding source” with zippo details about how much, when, why, etc. Sounds so shady that it might have something to do with Trump, and if so, they’ll never see a dime! But Trump came to mind because (a) he likes golf, and probably sees some sleazy way his golf courses could profit after he was shunned by the PGA, and (b) he’s an expert at investing in losing ventures (the Trump airline, Atlantic CIty casinos, Truth Social, etc.). Besides, who else would be stupid enough to invest in LIV (or at least, promise to)? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2026, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/66 "2026-08-16T14:41:01Z")
Maybe it’s secret funding from his orangeness. (He’s probably cackling in his secret lair, “I shall have ALL the golf! At last, ALL the trophy’s will be mine!) Maybe the Saudi’s are really running a scam to fleece him, because that WOULD win them friends all around the world! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2026, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/67 "2026-08-17T19:51:54Z")
LIV Golf announced today that they are cancelling the year’s final event, making this weekend’s tournament the final one of this season. > [@](#): > > The LIV Golf League confirmed Monday that its scheduled individual and team championship, which was set to be played in Michigan later this month, has been canceled, meaning this week’s tournament outside of Indianapolis will be the final event of the season. > > There had been speculation for weeks that the season-ending championship, which was scheduled for Aug. 27-30 at The Cardinal at Saint John’s in Plymouth, Michigan, wouldn’t be played as the struggling circuit tries to cut financial costs. > **[LIV Golf cancels Michigan tournament, to end season this week](https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/49640969/liv-golf-cancels-michigan-tournament-end-season-week)** > > LIV Golf has canceled its individual and team championship in Michigan later this month, meaning this week's event near Indianapolis is the final one of the season. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/68 "2026-09-08T21:47:39Z")
In a move which had been rumored for a while, LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today. A number of LIV golfers are owed money in the millions. > [@](#): > > [Jon Rahm](http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/9780/jon-rahm) ($7.5 million), [Bryson DeChambeau](http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/10046/bryson-dechambeau) ($5.7 million), [Dustin Johnson](http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/3448/dustin-johnson) ($5.5 million), [Cameron Smith](http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/9131/cameron-smith) ($4.8 million), [Tyrrell Hatton](http://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/5553/tyrrell-hatton) ($3.4 million) and [Brooks Koepka](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/6798/brooks-koepka) ($1.7 million) are among the league’s creditors with the 30 largest unsecured claims, according to court records. Those totals reflect the past-due payments owed to the golfers and not what is owed to them beyond the bankruptcy filing date. LIV has indicated that they are shooting for resuming play in 2027 after the restructuring, with the plan being that its golfers will become the majority owners. > **[LIV Golf files for bankruptcy as CEO embraces 'next stage'](https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/49872465/liv-golf-files-bankruptcy-ceo-embraces-next-stage)** > > LIV Golf and its related entities voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey on Tuesday, with court records listing Jon Rahm ($7.5 million) and Bryson DeChambeau ($5.7 million) as the league's top... ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/69 "2026-09-08T22:56:22Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > LIV has indicated that they are shooting for resuming play in 2027 after the restructuring, with the plan being that its golfers will become the majority owners. It kind of feels like the XFL version of golf. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/70 "2026-09-08T23:31:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It kind of feels like the XFL version of golf. They certainly didn’t start out with that level of aspiration; I think that they seriously believed that, with the Saudis’ deep pockets, they would be able to peel off enough top-tier golfers to create a viable, comparable competitor to the PGA Tour. (Though, I think they underestimated how many of the top golfers weren’t interested in being part of “sportswashing” the Saudis.) It wouldn’t surprise me if the bigger names who are still owed big money are offered a bigger ownership share, in place of the contracted payments. That might keep them in LIV for a year or two, but ultimately, I think it’ll sink into debt again, and just fade away with a whimper. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/71 "2026-09-08T23:54:08Z")
I’m glad it failed. Is it wrong of me to say that? I’m glad that there’s something that Saudi blood money _can’t_ buy. I mean, for fuck’s sake, they got this year’s Royal Rumble and next year’s WrestleMania. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/72 "2026-09-09T04:30:48Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I’m glad it failed. Is it wrong of me to say that? Absolutely not. It was disgusting from the very start. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2026, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/73 "2026-09-13T04:44:57Z")
Wait a minute… you’re telling me the more-money-than-Haruhi Suzumiya Saudi government, after making a league where **literally the entire gameplan** was money, money, money, _stiffed_ players to the tune of at least eight figures?? And now the only way to make it up to them is to give them ownership stake, which…geez, this is a sinking ship, why would anyone even _want_ that? It would be like giving away control of the AFL or America Ninja Warrior. Zanmu preserve us, this whole enterprise was just a clown car from start to finish, wasn’t it? I mean, there’s a puncher’s chance LIV creaks past '27 when it dawns on some players that the PGA isn’t going to roll out the red carpet for them, meaning this really is the end of the line, and they fight like hell to keep the train wheezing along for as long as they can, but there’s a good chance almost everyone will have forgotten about it by then anyway. I still want to see that Fox Sports tribute, if for no other reason than I’m curious as how they’re going to spin anything positive out of the whole slow-motion debacle. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/74 "2026-10-07T17:54:39Z")
Jon Rahm, one of the biggest names who jumped from the PGA to LIV, has announced that he will not remain with the new league as it goes through bankruptcy reorganization. > [@](#): > > During a hearing with U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey Judge Michael B. Kaplan on Wednesday, Rahm’s attorney, John Beck, said that Rahm is leaving LIV Golf. > > “Mr. Rahm has independently reviewed the proposed terms of LIV 2.0 and has determined that those terms are unacceptable to him, and he will not be participating going forward in LIV 2.0,” Beck said. > [@](#): > > Rahm, 31, was considered a linchpin in LIV Golf’s dwindling hopes to keep the circuit alive. Along with two-time U.S. Open champion DeChambeau, Rahm is the most accomplished and popular golfer who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. > > Rahm signed with LIV Golf in December 2023, and the league’s poaching of the then-reigning Masters champion was considered a major coup. He reportedly received a multiyear contract worth more than $300 million. > > Rahm was a four-time winner in the LIV Golf League and was the circuit’s season-long individual champion in each of the past three seasons. > [@](#): > > Rahm ($7.5 million), DeChambeau ($5.7 million), [Dustin Johnson](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/3448/dustin-johnson) ($5.5 million), Smith ($4.8 million), [Tyrrell Hatton](https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/5553/tyrrell-hatton) ($3.4 million) and Koepka ($1.7 million) were listed among the league’s creditors with the 30 largest unsecured claims, per the court records. > > Those totals reflected the past-due payments owed to the golfers but not what was owed to them beyond the bankruptcy filing date. It is believed that Rahm is owed more than $100 million. > **[Jon Rahm leaving LIV Golf in blow to future of bankrupt league](https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/50126362/jon-rahm-leaving-liv-golf-blow-future-bankrupt-league)** > > Two-time major champion Jon Rahm is leaving the LIV Golf League and is working to finalize a separation agreement by Oct. 15, his attorney said. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/75 "2026-10-08T19:14:56Z")
So it’s possible that LIV is DED? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2026, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/76 "2026-10-09T09:50:14Z")
LIV and let die… ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/77 "2026-10-10T22:15:51Z")
😬 Geeeeezzzzzz. Seriously. _Nine_ figures. To _one_ golfer. I recall the old saying (paraphrasing), “If a guy owes you a thousand dollars, he has a problem; if he owes you a million dollars, _you_ have a problem.” Let’s be quite clear, the idea of jumping ship to a clearly evil and unrepentant government under _any_ circumstances repulses me, but if you _are_ going to sell your soul for the bag, **get the freaking bag!** This is like all those stories I used to hear about this athlete or movie star being like 50 million dollars in debt, and all I can think is what kind of porridgebrain gives away 50 million dollars of stuff without getting payment in advance or at least flipping collateral, for crying out loud. ([Made a thread about this!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exactly-how-did-mike-tyson-get-into-such-obscene-debt/257879) 😁) That’s why you always have to be careful when dealing with shady rich types. There’s a reason they _stay_ rich, and if you allow yourself to get starry-eyed for even a moment, that supposed sweetheart deal can turn out to be a bigger joke than Leslie Nielsen. At this point, LIV’s management is like a hopelessly overmatched boxer eating bomb after bomb after bomb, and the only question is if he’s going to stay on his feet for as long as possible out of sheer defiance and nothing else, or if he’s going to cut his losses, preserve what’s left of his cognitive functions, and start a career in interior decorating like he should have in the first place. I’m sure there’s a betting pool somewhere breathlessly awaiting the final straw. Heck, nowadays I’d be surprised if there _wasn’t_ one. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/78 "2026-10-10T22:35:57Z")
LIV golf has increased the share of professional golf’s revenue going to top golfers dramatically. Whether this is sustainable remains to be seen. The LIV golfers were largely a bunch of assholes in my opinion (but it seems like most top golfers are, and in my experience the average amateur golfer is too), but they’ve also made the non-LIV golfers richer. And they did collect very large sums from LIV before it went belly up. It’s not like they were playing for pennies, waiting for equity stakes in LIV to vest. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/79 "2026-10-10T22:55:26Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > LIV golf has increased the share of professional golf’s revenue going to top golfers dramatically. Whether this is sustainable remains to be seen. IMO, it stopped being sustainable the moment that the Saudis pulled out of bankrolling it. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102/80 "2026-10-10T23:02:25Z")
I don’t know if you misunderstood my post or misunderstand the situation. The big shift in the share of money going to golfers is outside LIV golf. Particularly in the PGA. Is the PGA now going to say “Fooled ya!” and roll back the changes they have made over the last four years? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pga-and-liv-golf-to-merge/985102.md?page=5)