LIV Golf’s chief executive, Scott O’Neil, told CNBC on Tuesday that the organization must operate on the assumption that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will continue to fund the remainder of the season, despite persistent questions about how long that backing will last. O’Neil stressed that PIF has publicly committed to supporting LIV through the 2026 schedule, but he could not guarantee that the final four tournaments of the year would be staged if funding were to stop earlier. He emphasized that the league now must be disciplined and “very, very value-creative” to sustain operations beyond assurances already given.
O’Neil recalled that PIF has been a dependable partner “through the season,” and he asserted that the funding arrangement has allowed LIV to proceed with its current plans. CNBC reported in late April that PIF could end funding after the 2026 period, a development that has spurred an investor roadshow to secure capital. This fundraising drive began recently, with the league seeking up to $350 million to maintain operations and cover ongoing events. The executive added that the players, management and advisors are “locked in,” even as market chatter questions whether the league can finish the season if funding winds down earlier than expected.
Asked whether he can guarantee the four remaining tournaments on this year’s schedule, O’Neil said that what he can guarantee is a “heck of a return” if investors come aboard. “I think we have a very, very special opportunity to create tremendous value,” he said. So far, he noted, LIV has held five formal meetings with potential funders, with 18 more planned for the current week, and he described the response as positive. He expressed hope of concluding the fundraising process by summer, while stressing that time is in short supply as momentum builds.
The saga of PIF’s involvement continues to shape LIV Golf’s near-term plans and its calendar risk. While O’Neil indicated strong investor interest and a clear path to sustaining operations, the absence of firm funding beyond 2026 could force calendar adjustments or a more selective tournament slate if capital cannot be secured on the expected timeline.
CNBC’s reporting earlier this year noted that PIF Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down from LIV Golf’s chairmanship, a development observed by markets as part of the broader negotiations around funding. As LIV advances its investor roadshow, the balance between capital inflows and on-course commitments remains central to its ability to execute the 2026 schedule and to maintain its expansion ambitions within professional golf.
