Saudi Arabia Explains Why It's Cutting Ties With LIV Golf

When LIV Golf was created in 2022, it was designed to eventually take over the PGA Tour. It's safe to say those plans never came to fruition.

On Wednesday afternoon, The Wall Street Journal reported that LIV Golf would lose funding from Saudi Arabia. That would essentially put the circuit on life alert.

"LIV plans to tell players and staff by Thursday that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will no longer bankroll the circuit after this season, according to people familiar with the matter," Andrew Beaton wrote. "The move sounds the death knell for the upstart that sowed chaos in professional golf by plowing billions into the sport and poaching A-list players."

Well, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund confirmed Thursday that it won't fund LIV Golf past the 2026 season.

"PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season. The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF's investment strategy," the PIF said in a statement. "This decision has been made in light of PIF's investment priorities and current macro dynamics. The LIV Golf Board has created a committee of independent directors to evaluate strategic alternatives for its future beyond PIF's funding horizon."

Who will return to the PGA Tour?

According to ESPN, some LIV Golf players are already exploring a return to the PGA Tour. Of course, there's no guarantee they'll all be welcomed back.

"I don't think the PGA Tour cares about 54 or 52 of the 56 LIV golfers or how many there are. They care about two for sure, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau," Trey Wingo told Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes. "I think those are the two that, that they'll find a way back like they did for (Brooks Koepka), because he's a five-time major winner. But the rest of them, I think they might say, ‘Congratulations, Taylor Gooch, I'm glad you got your money. You won't see us again unless you go through the hardest way possible to earn your tour card like everybody else.'"

The PGA Tour had established a "Returning Member Program" for golfers who have been away from the tour for at least two years. Brooks Koepka took advantage of this opportunity, but DeChambeau, Rahm and several others stayed with LIV.

It'll be fascinating to see how PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp handles this unique situation.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:15 AM.