LIV Golf cuts most staff as Saudi funding ends and future plans shift

After the Public Investment Fund announced it would cease its sponsorship at the close of the 2026 season, LIV Golf disclosed that most of its workforce will lose their jobs in the first week of September. The league described the move as a scaling-back of operations while it works toward a revamped "LIV 2.0" concept for 2027, which envisions ten tournaments split evenly between the United States and international venues.

While the league has enjoyed strong attendance in markets like South Africa and Australia, replacing the billions of Saudi dollars remains uncertain. CEO Scott O'Neil spoke about the intense pressure the organization faces and stressed a commitment to do the best possible with the resources at hand. The transition is expected to take several months, and although optimism is expressed, the future of the league and the possibility of re-hiring many of those laid off remain unclear.