LIV Golf's Saudi Funding Ends, Shaking Up Pro Golf

0:00It's April 29th. This is Adelaide News Today, powered by AI, I'm Cory with the story. Saudi Arabia's public investment fund is pulling the plug on LIV golf funding after this season. The Wall Street Journal reports that LIV plans to notify players and staff as early as this week about the decision. LIV launched back in 2022 with heavy PIF backing, shaking up pro golf by luring stars like Bryson Deschambo, John Rahm, Brooks Keppka, and Phil Mickelson with big contracts. Events have drawn huge crowds worldwide, especially the one in Adelaide. This news flips the script from just two weeks ago when sources assured everyone the 2026 season was locked in with full PIF support. LIV's CEO, even email players, saying things were running full throttle with no interruptions. Critics from human rights groups have long slammed the tour as Saudi sportswashing amid abuse allegations, though the government denies it all. Meanwhile, the PJ tour merger framework from June 2023 still lacks a final deal, and

1:03PJ won't automatically take back LIV. Players' decisions would be cased by case. Keppka and Patrick Reed have already jumped ship from LIV recently, signaling shifts in the golf landscape as funding dries up and futures hang in the balance.