Founded in 2021, LIV Golf was built to look untouchable. With backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, its billion-dollar backing, blockbuster signings, and promises of a new future for golf helped it project instant legitimacy. The format was built around 48 players, 12 teams, 54-hole events, no cut, and shotgun starts, all designed to separate it from traditional golf. But ever since PIF pulled off its financial support, the league has been in turmoil. And now, its future is entering its most precarious phase yet.

Bloomberg has reported that LIV Golf is laying the groundwork for filing for bankruptcy at the end of the 2026 season. The organization is even planning on relocating its headquarters to the USA to leverage Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Through Chapter 11, it can try to reorganize and reject onerous contracts, including player and venue deals. Bryson DeChambeau has already shown concerns around the same.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” the American pro said when asked if he thinks he would be paid the remainder of his contract. It certainly comes as a shock following the journey they’ve shared over the years with LIV Golf.

🤔 golf trivia

This Should Be an Easy One, Right?

01/10

On Which Hole Jordan Spieth’s Ball Got Stuck Under a Trashcan?

14th 15th16th 17th

Oops, bogey!

But don’t worry, there’s still the back 9 to prove your high golf IQ

PLAY GOLF TRIVIA

January 2020 is where the blueprint first came into view. The proposed new Premier Golf League had its format locked in, and that same shape would later become the backbone of LIV Golf when it began play in 2022. World Golf Club, based in the United Kingdom, and the Raine Group, a global merchant bank, were part of the effort, along with as many as 60 shareholders, including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

That month also brought a hard line from PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. He told Tour pros they would not be allowed to play on both the PGA and PGL circuits. The message landed with force, and the first cracks in golf’s old order were starting to show.

Then came March 2020, and the PGA Tour answered with a statement of its own. It signed a new $700 million media rights deal as the PGL tried to lure away big names. Rory McIlroy was quick to push back. “I didn’t really like where the money was coming from,” he says. “I wanted to be the first one to speak out against it. I’m glad that I have.”

By November 2020, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour had joined forces in their own way. They announced a strategic alliance and said they would collaborate on global scheduling, prize money, and playing privileges for both memberships. The battle was no longer just about players. It was about power.

April 2021 added another layer. The PGA Tour launched its Player Impact Program, designed to reward the players who brought the most value to the tour with bonuses. The fight for influence was shifting, and every move mattered.

Then October 2021 cracked the door open even wider. LIV Golf Investments named Greg Norman CEO and committed $200 million to the Asian Tour, later raising that to $300 million in February 2022. It was not yet the full LIV Golf operation, but it clearly pointed in that direction. By May 31, 2022, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, and Louis Oosthuizen were among the players who entered LIV’s first event in London after the PGA Tour denied conflicting-event releases.

Then June 2022 then turned into a flood, with Johnson, Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Graeme McDowell, Garcia, Ian Poulter, Kevin Na, Lee Westwood, Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, and Talor Gooch all joining at different points during the month.

There was thought and planning put into the structure with many clauses, but now seeing at it’s turning point, more names are coming up.

Jon Rahm, too, has some years left on his contract. Through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, LIV Golf can end all the contracts and leave golfers hanging. The higher-ups can then possibly pursue a sale or wind‑down under court supervision.

The other path the league has is a straight liquidation under Chapter 7. This would more definitively shut down operations and leave unsecured creditors with limited recoveries. In both cases, LIV golfers will suffer. The only glimmer of hope is that all of this is just preparation.

Scott O’Neil is reportedly doing everything possible to find new investors. LIV Golf has hired Ducera Partners, retained law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and made significant board changes. However, the challenge is its 5+ billion dollar hole.

Reportedly, PIF has already spent over 5 billion on the league since its inception. After the 2026 season, spending was estimated to reach as much as $6 billion. It didn’t align with the fund’s goals anymore, and hence, funding was cut.

Suppose LIV Golf shuts down. What possible options do professionals have?

Possible paths forward for LIV Golf pros after 2026

LIV golfers will have three possible outcomes if the rebel league does not exist beyond 2026. One option is for the PGA Tour to welcome them back. However, this is unlikely to happen with all golfers. Sure, maybe for a selected few, such as DeChambeau, Rahm, and Cameron Smith, a way like the Returning Member Program could be seen. CEO Brian Rolapp has already admitted that the PGA Tour could take back stars who can benefit the Tour.

The other path is through the DP World Tour. LIV golfers can ask for DP World Tour membership. Then, they can try to finish in the top 10 of the Race to Dubai rankings, just like Patrick Reed. This could give them a chance to earn a PGA Tour card for the next year. Or you know, maybe they could do what Eugenio Chacarra did after parting with LIV? Win a DPWT event, get the membership, and then try to work your way up to the PGA Tour.

Lastly, some are considering retiring altogether. Anirban Lahiri revealed that he knows at least a dozen professionals who would retire rather than join the PGA Tour again. According to him, the issue was with transparency, which he says still exists on the PGA Tour.

CEO Scott O’Neil said that the 2026 season would run at “full throttle,” so the real concerns arise for the 2027 season. And no one has any answers to that, not even the league’s executives. So, its only fair that with hopes of resurrection, they are also reportedly preparing for the worst outcome.