LIV Golf to Shut Down After Five Years
LIV Golf will shut down after five years, its lawyers told a bankruptcy court in New Jersey on Thursday, ending a breakaway league that spent more than $5 billion and split professional golf in two.
The league had tried to relaunch as a leaner “LIV 2.0” after losing its Saudi backers. That plan collapsed this week when BC Partners Credit, the firm that had pledged up to $300 million to fund the relaunch, withdrew its support. Without fresh money and without enough star players signed up for 2027, the league chose to wind down instead.
“The debtors are not currently proceeding with the LIV 2.0 plan,” LIV attorney Matthew Williams told the court in a hearing that lasted only 13 minutes. He said the league would move to a “value-maximizing wind-down” of its business.
Liquidation of the league’s remaining assets will begin on Monday, November 9. A formal plan still needs court approval, with a creditors meeting on November 20 and another hearing on November 24.
The LIV Golf shutdown ends a five-year experiment
LIV Golf launched in June 2022 with backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). It offered nine-figure signing bonuses to lure top names away from the PGA Tour, and for a time it worked. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson were among the stars who joined.
The PIF poured an estimated $5 billion into the tour. Then, in April this year, the fund said it would stop financing the league after the 2026 season. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 8, but its officials still talked of a relaunch, with a shorter schedule, reduced prize money and equity stakes for players.
BC Partners Credit seemed to offer a way out, pledging up to $300 million. But the rescue depended on players committing to the new version, and several former LIV stars announced in recent weeks that they would not return. Rahm was among those who walked away, and reports say he agreed to forfeit claims worth about $100 million to get out of his contract.
Even DeChambeau, arguably the league’s biggest name and one of its most loyal supporters, did not publicly commit to returning.
What the court was told
In its statement, LIV Golf said the parties had been unable to reach agreement on the terms of its Restructuring Support Agreement with BC Partners.
“Despite extensive discussions, the relevant parties were ultimately unable to reach a consensual resolution of certain outstanding terms of the transaction contemplated by the RSA,” the league said. “In light of the current circumstances, we believe shifting toward an orderly wind-down is the most responsible path forward for the league at this time.”
Bankruptcy filings showed LIV owes between $500 million and $1 billion to at least 1,000 creditors, including star players. Rahm, DeChambeau and Johnson hold the largest unsecured claims, more than $5 million each in past-due payments.
What happens to the players
The shutdown leaves LIV’s players to find their way back. The PGA Tour imposes a one-year suspension on players dating from their last LIV appearance, so a return will not be instant for most of them.
The league’s final event was held in August at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana, and won by Michael La Sasso. There will be no 2027 season.
LIV said it would remain open to “any value-maximizing alternatives with third parties that may arise as the company is wound up”, leaving a narrow door open for a late buyer. No such buyer has emerged.
Why it matters
LIV’s rise forced golf’s established bodies to respond. The PGA Tour raised prize money and changed its schedule to keep players.
That fight is now over, at least in this form. The money ran out, the players drifted away, and the court has been told the league will close. Golf’s old order has survived its richest challenge, but the sport still has to settle the questions LIV raised about player pay and schedules.
While golf closes this chapter, cricket’s calendar keeps moving. Sri Lanka beat the PCB Patrons XI by 142 runs in their warm-up match before the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Monday, and Pakistan will host Ireland for a one-day series in January 2027. Pakistan also reached the Asian Games cricket final in October, and readers can follow all of it in Feature Pakistan’s sports section.
Frequently asked questions
Why is LIV Golf shutting down?
Its Saudi backers, the Public Investment Fund, stopped funding the league in April 2026 after spending more than $5 billion. A rescue plan with BC Partners Credit collapsed when too few star players committed to a relaunched LIV 2.0.
When will liquidation begin?
LIV’s lawyers told the New Jersey bankruptcy court that liquidation of remaining assets will begin on Monday, November 9. A formal plan needs court approval, with a creditors meeting on November 20 and another hearing on November 24.
How much did LIV Golf spend?
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund poured an estimated $5 billion into the tour since 2022. Filings show the league owes between $500 million and $1 billion to at least 1,000 creditors.
Can LIV players return to the PGA Tour?
Not at once. The PGA Tour imposes a one-year suspension on players dating from their last LIV appearance, so most will have to wait before they can play PGA Tour events again.
What was LIV Golf’s last event?
The final LIV tournament was held in August 2026 at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana, and was won by Michael La Sasso.
