LIV and left to die? Inside the rebel tour's collapse after Saudi exit - and what's next for stars such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm with nine-figure contracts to be paid, hundreds of staff laid off and rival tours' revenge

LIV Golf, once heralded as a bold disruptor in professional golf, now confronts a precarious future after the abrupt departure of its Saudi backers. The planned season finale in Michigan, scheduled for late August, was canceled earlier this month, and instead of competing, the majority of the league’s approximately 300 employees have been informed of imminent layoffs.

This abrupt halt reflects deeper instability within the organization. Since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew in April, LIV Golf’s leadership has scrambled for alternatives to sustain the tour. CEO Scott O’Neil has expressed confidence in securing new funding, with a London-based private equity group, widely identified as BC Capital, reportedly poised to inject between $250 million and $350 million. However, the deal remains tentative, with no finalized commitments, casting doubt over the league's viability beyond the current year.

Central to any potential revival is the retention of LIV’s marquee players, whose contracts often involve nine-figure sums. Among the most prominent are Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, both of whom have become synonymous with the tour’s high-profile ambitions. DeChambeau appears inclined to remain with LIV, albeit under uncertain financial conditions, whereas Rahm has not publicly confirmed any intention to continue and is believed to be seeking an exit despite a contract extending through 2028.

Breaking or renegotiating these lucrative agreements is complicated. Sources close to the players suggest that many prefer LIV to initiate any breach of contract, which would legally free them from their obligations without penalties. This scenario mirrors the case of Brooks Koepka, who left LIV in January despite a $150 million deal, reportedly forfeiting remaining payments and facing potential sanctions for returning to traditional tours.

O’Neil’s vision for a scaled-back LIV 2.0 involves trimming the schedule from 14 to 10 tournaments, evenly divided between the United States and international venues, and drastically reducing prize purses from the previous $30 million per event to a more sustainable $6 to $10 million. Such changes, however, are unlikely to satisfy players accustomed to the tour’s lavish financial incentives.

Communication lapses have further strained relations between LIV’s management and its players. Agents have criticized the league’s silence since the Saudi exit, noting secretive meetings and limited transparency. Meanwhile, athletes like Tyrrell Hatton have publicly signaled mixed intentions, maintaining ties with LIV while also hinting at potential returns to established tours.

The looming possibility of bankruptcy adds another layer of complexity. Industry insiders anticipate that LIV could file for Chapter 11 protection as early as September, a move that might allow the league to restructure its debts but also trigger contract disputes and legal claims from unpaid vendors. Several suppliers, including technology and media firms, have already initiated legal actions over outstanding payments exceeding one million dollars each.

Financial strains have also impacted the distribution of prize money, with team earnings reportedly delayed by several weeks since July, exacerbating uncertainty among players. Although individual tournament winnings have generally been disbursed promptly, the overall fiscal health of LIV remains fragile.

Rival organizations, notably the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, have responded assertively to LIV’s challenges. Both have reinforced policies discouraging player participation in LIV events, including the reintroduction of fines that had been suspended during the height of LIV’s influence. These measures are designed to discourage defections and protect the integrity of traditional competitions like the Ryder Cup.

Returning to established tours is not straightforward for LIV players. The PGA Tour enforces a mandatory one-year waiting period after a player’s last LIV event before allowing re-entry, a barrier exemplified by Patrick Reed’s recent transition. This policy complicates players’ decisions amid the current instability.

As LIV Golf teeters on the brink, the fate of its players, staff, and supporting businesses remains uncertain. While O’Neil pushes for a revival backed by fresh investors, the league’s diminished resources and strained relationships with top talent pose formidable obstacles. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether LIV can reemerge as a viable entity or fade into sporting history as a costly experiment that failed to sustain itself beyond its initial surge.