Strained smiles and uncertainty - the strange end of LIV Golf 1.0
BBC Sport visits LIV Golf's final event in its current guise to investigate what the future holds for the circuit that shook up the sport.
The once-promising LIV Golf league, launched in 2022 with Saudi Arabian funding, has seen a tumultuous end. The league, which promised top players lucrative contracts, has struggled to maintain financial stability and player support. After the league's Saudi backers pulled funding, the season finale in Indianapolis could be the league's last event, pending a new deal.
The atmosphere at the final event was one of surface-level optimism but deep uncertainty. Despite endless questions about the future, LIV staff continued to host the tournament, with LIV Golf's CEO, Scott O'Neil, expressing confidence in securing a new investor, Ted Goldthorpe of BC Partners. However, players expressed mixed reactions, with some viewing the event as the "last hurrah" and others expressing pessimism.
O'Neil aims to make LIV financially disciplined and sustainable, with a reduced schedule of 10 events a year across five continents. Players are promised equity and the return of key commercial rights, but the specifics of the new deal remain unclear. The future of LIV Golf hinges on securing the participation of top players, with players' moods described as "subdued" and many considering their options if the league folds.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Strained smiles and uncertainty - the strange end of LIV Golf 1.0 sports.yahoo.com
