Foreign News
Player buy-in the key to any version of LIV Golf 2.0
WESTFIELD, Ind. – The uncertainty swirling around LIV Golf remains unchanged with the league facing multiple lawsuits from vendors who claim they have not been paid, questions about future viability and the commitment of a still-to-be-announced lead investor and, most importantly, the loyalty of players.
But the one known commodity that remains unquestioned is CEO Scott O’Neil’s belief in LIV Golf 2.0.
The chief executive unveiled the general concept of LIV Golf 2.0 two weeks ago at the league’s event in New Jersey, and although his 35-minute press conference Wednesday didn’t offer any more details, it did solidify his position of optimism in his product.
“As we enter this final event for 2026, I spent a lot of time thinking about where LIV has been and much more time thinking about where LIV Golf is going. I certainly wasn’t here when LIV Golf launched, but the ambition was really clear: Create something new, create new opportunities for players, take elite golf to places around the world that seemed to want it and need it, and ultimately help make the game bigger and better,” O’Neil said.
“It certainly was disruptive and at times divisive, and there’s no question that several years have been challenging for the game of golf. But I believe we’re at a really special inflection point, and I think the opportunities in front of golf is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Negotiations are ongoing with the lead investor – who, according to various reports, is BC Partners co-founder and partner Ted Goldthorpe – and O’Neil suggested a possible definitive agreement could come soon.
“In terms of timelines, we have a very compressed timeline to get the deal done. I’m not going to share that here. But I can tell you we’re well on our way to a transaction,” he said. “Very excited about the future.”
Perhaps even more telling was O’Neil’s response when asked if bankruptcy was an option for LIV Golf: “I don’t think we would rule out any option. I mean, the whole focus is on transaction, transaction, transaction. We’re spending all our time thinking about how we best land this plane and have it landed so we can take off again,” he said.
That potential transaction, which he said could also include additional limited partners, is likely contingent on how many LIV players decide to remain with the league. Instead of the large bonuses initially paid to attract star players, O’Neil’s new model would offer equity in LIV Golf.
“The entirety of our focus is to get to this transaction and get through it. Without the players, that becomes very difficult,” he said. “I have a good level of confidence in my conversation that we’ll have a critical mass of the right players to move this league forward.”
There have been persistent rumors that Jon Rahm will not remain with the league, although his current contract runs through, at least, next year. Bryson DeChambeau, however, has been supportive of LIV Golf 2.0 in player meetings, according to multiple sources.
“I’m committed to being here,” Brendan Steele said following Tuesday’s player meeting at Chatham Hills. “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, on the other hand, did not appear to be as committed to LIV Golf 2.0. When he was asked his future with LIV he said, “We’ll see.”
What exactly that “critical mass” of player commitment looks like is O’Neil’s multi-million dollar question and likely the biggest challenge facing the league.