LIV Golf begins laying off employees while downsizing to restructure without Saudi funding

LIV Golf has announced it will lay off employees next week as the league downsizes without Saudi funding. The reduction comes as LIV pursues an agreement with a lead investor to reshape the league for next year. The exact number of employees being laid off is unclear. LIV ended its fifth season early outside Indianapolis, one week before expected.

The staff reduction was anticipated, as LIV learned in April that the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia would end financial backing after the season. LIV had filed a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act indicating layoffs were likely. The league had hoped several employees could be hired back depending on securing the investor agreement and the new LIV 2.0 league structure.

LIV CEO Scott O’Neil said the funding commitment from the Public Investment Fund will conclude, prompting the downsizing. CEO O’Neil also mentioned he has come to terms with a lead investor, rumored to be BC Partners, and hopes to finalize the deal in September. Despite the layoff, LIV Golf's biggest names like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau still have contracts with the league.

Rahm, in particular, has multiple years left on his contract. Tyrrell Hatton, a four-time Ryder Cup player, entered the British Masters after learning LIV's team championship in Michigan was canceled. Hatton plans to play on the European tour for five more weeks before the Ryder Cup, indicating he expects LIV Golf to continue in 2027.