LIV Golf has confirmed it will lay off the majority of its global workforce from early next month after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ended its funding commitment.
The breakaway circuit, which previously employed more than 300 staff worldwide, informed affected employees this week that their employment under LIV 1.0 will conclude in the first week of September. Staff had previously been warned of potential redundancies in July.
A spokesperson for LIV Golf told Sky Sports that the league is scaling back operations as it transitions to a new phase, referred to as LIV 2.0. The spokesperson expressed gratitude to employees for their work in building the league and committed to supporting those affected through the transition, adding that LIV Golf remains hopeful some staff could return if the new iteration materialises.
LIV Golf was launched in 2022 as an alternative professional golf circuit financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. The league attracted several of the world's leading players from the established PGA Tour and European Tour with lucrative contracts and team-based competition formats.
Reorganisation and future investment
The 2026 LIV Golf season finished a week early following the cancellation of its Team Championship in Michigan. Despite the early end to the schedule, LIV Golf chief executive Scott O'Neil told an event in Indianapolis that he was optimistic the league could finalise fresh investment and move forward.
LIV Golf is currently in discussions with a prospective lead investor and multiple minority investors to secure its long-term future. A term sheet to fund the league next season has been signed, though it remains non-binding and has not yet been finalised.
Proposals for LIV 2.0 include making the league majority-owned by its players and operating with a focus on commercial discipline. The proposed schedule includes five Team Championships across five different continents alongside five Signature Events structured around golf's major championships.
Player reactions and tour uncertainty
Players on the circuit have expressed hope that LIV Golf will secure fresh backing. Bryson DeChambeau, who has yet to confirm whether he will continue with LIV Golf, said ahead of last week's season finale that he hoped people would give LIV Golf "one more shot and be open minded". Ian Poulter remarked that it would be "a real shame" if the league was unable to continue.
Following the cancellation of the Team Championship, Tyrrell Hatton was among the late entrants into the Husqvarna British Masters, which was due to be held the same week. The Englishman refused to be drawn into speculation regarding his own playing future during his pre-tournament press conference.
Hatton said he expects LIV Golf to operate next season, noting that organizers have worked hard to get funding in place and that it is full steam ahead on that front. Asked if he had considered his future schedule, Hatton said: "To be honest, I haven't thought about that. I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year. I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf."
PGA Tour integration and player debates
The situation at LIV Golf has renewed discussion over whether its players could eventually return to the PGA Tour. World number one Scottie Scheffler stated that a few LIV players would add value to the PGA Tour, but maintained they should receive penalties before being integrated back in.
Rory McIlroy has warned of a "tough road back" for LIV golfers while offering strong opinions on players returning to the PGA Tour and making digs over the value offered by the breakaway league. Speaking at the US Open in June, McIlroy reflected on the management of the PGA Tour prior to LIV Golf's emergence in men's professional golf.
The Husqvarna British Masters will be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting on Thursday from 12.30pm UK time.
