LIV

LIV Golf and its related entities have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection four years after the league’s debut as a heavy-spending, player-friendly alternative to the PGA Tour.

Rather than signal the end of LIV, though, the move is designed to help the league move into the future without Saudi funding.

“We are excited about what lies ahead and yet, there is still much to accomplish in the months ahead,” CEO Scott O’Neil said in a statement released by the league on Tuesday. “We believe deeply in LIV Golf’s future, the opportunity in front of us, and the people who will help us realize it. We will not rest until we deliver on LIV Golf’s full potential.”

After launching in June 2022, LIV once paid nine-figure signing bonuses to lure away top players from the PGA Tour. Spending had reached an estimated $6 billion by the time the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia decided to end its financial support in April.

On Tuesday, LIV said it has entered a restructuring support agreement with BC Partners Advisors and voluntarily entered a court-supervised restructuring process under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.

Last month, O’Neil announced a long-term plan that would have the golfers become the majority equity holders in the league. In a letter to fans on Tuesday, he said that this week’s moves are steps toward the league’s long-term goals.

“Now it is time to enter the next phase of LIV Golf,” O’Neil said. “Today, we took an important step forward to get there. LIV Golf has entered a court-supervised restructuring process that provides us with the time and framework to address previous financial obligations and complete a transaction that will make the League’s next phase a reality. Put simply, this process is designed to build a stronger and more sustainable future for LIV Golf.”

O’Neal said the new league model will expand the field for events from 57 to 75 players, introduce a 54-hole cut and create Monday qualifiers. It will “be built around a sustainable business model and deeper alignment between players and the League, with team golf at its core,” he wrote.

“Players will have the opportunity to share directly in the value they help create, while teams will be positioned to grow into enduring global sports businesses. And fans will remain at the center of everything we do.”

In its bankruptcy filing, LIV listed estimated assests of between $100 million and $500 million and liabilities of between $500 million and $1 billion. Players Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith were listed as the four leading creditors.

The league ended its season in August. Four vendors already have filed lawsuits because they have not been paid.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sir Nick Faldo says LIV golfers seeking a return to the DP World Tour may have to “eat a bit of humble pie” before regaining eligibility for the European-based circuit.

LIV’s 2026 season ended last Sunday in Indianapolis after this week’s cancellation of the breakaway tour’s Team Championship in Michigan.

Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Adrian Meronk are competing instead at the Husqvarna British Masters starting on Thursday.

Six-time major champion Faldo is promoting the Belfry tournament while LIV’s boss Scott O’Neil continues his quest to replace Saudi Arabian funding. He wants $350m (£258m) investment to keep the league operating next year.

“I’m hearing there are more players wanting to leave LIV than want to stay,” Faldo told BBC Sport.

“So it doesn’t sound good for them for the future.”

Hatton, McKibbin and Meronk are able to compete as DP World Tour members after accepting a deal that allowed them to play both tours without sanction this year.

For his walk on music at the Indianapolis tournament last week, Hatton chose Queen’s I Want to Break Free, interpreted as a firm signal that the Englishman wants to leave the tour that began in 2022.

Hatton has recent tournament wins that protect his DP World status. Two-time major champion Jon Rahm also has exemptions that would qualify him for the tour should he quit the previously Saudi Arabia-funded outfit.

But Faldo is clear that it should not be overly easy for LIV players to walk straight back onto the DP World Tour.

“How do they actually give them a route back?” Faldo added.

“You know, given the way they’ve disrupted – go and start again. Go back to tour school.

“Hey, you might have to eat a bit of humble pie and say, well, I want to be a proper golfer again, and so I’ve got to start back where I’m meant to be and I’ll work my way up the good old way with my skills and my scoring.”