Foreign News
LIV Golf players meet with lead investor ahead of season finale
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Just before 4:30 p.m. ET, the field for the LIV Golf finale filtered up the hill to the Chatham Hills clubhouse for another meeting with league CEO Scott O’Neil.
Two weeks ago, the same players joined a similar meeting with O’Neil in New Jersey to learn that LIV Golf had agreed to a term sheet with a lead investor in an effort to fund the league beyond this season.
There were few details at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, including the identity of the lead investor. And by most accounts, Tuesday’s gathering north of Indianapolis was similarly short on specifics.
What we know is players met with the lead investor on Tuesday and remain optimistic LIV Golf can continue into next year.
“It was productive. It was a very good meeting, very positive,” said Martin Kaymer, the captain of Cleeks GC. “The investor is excited. There are a few things that need to be figured out but I thought it was positive.
“It’s still early to tell what next year will look like, but I think they are working very hard to get more specifics.”
Kaymer was also asked if he was going to play LIV Golf next year and his response was notably vague. “I can’t say that,” he said.
O’Neil’s attempt to convince the lead investor – who is reported to be BC Partners co-founder and partner Ted Goldthorpe; though, LIV Golf has not announced the investor’s identity – that the current crop of players is on board for the league’s next chapter, is likely crucial to any potential deal.
According to various reports, Jon Rahm does not intend to stay with LIV Golf beyond this season, but Bryson DeChambeau, the league’s biggest draw, has been supportive of O’Neil’s effort both in public and private.
“Talking with our investor, he just has great vision for what we want to do and how to move this thing forward,” Brendan Steele said following the meeting, which lasted nearly an hour. “There aren’t a ton of specifics I can share with you but I think getting the players to be comfortable with how we want to move forward is the most important thing.”
Steele was also asked if he planned to remain with LIV Golf. “I’m committed to being here,” he said. “This is where I want to be. This has been home to me for the last four years, it’s been great. I’m happy to stay.”
Sergio Garcia did not appear to be as committed as Steele to LIV Golf 2.0. When asked his “future” with LIV he said, “We’ll see.”
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its funding of LIV Golf in April and the league has struggled to close out the season, cancelling the team championship as well as an event that was scheduled to be played in New Orleans.
O’Neil is scheduled to speak with the media at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
