LIV Golf faces wind-down as BC Partners abandons relaunch funding

LIV Golf is expected to wind down after BC Partners Credit withdrew support for a proposed relaunch, BBC Sport reported on Thursday. The financing setback leaves the competition facing the end of its attempted revival, although the anticipated court announcement had not yet taken place in the BBC's account.

The proposed investment could have supplied up to $300 million for a redesigned competition known as LIV 2.0. BBC Sport reported that an attorney acting for LIV was expected to tell a court hearing on Thursday that the plan could no longer proceed.

According to the BBC, organisers had secured commitments from co-investors and signed up about 30 players, including major champions. However, its sources said they could not complete the necessary agreements within the available time. Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia were among the prominent players who had already left.

The uncertainty also threatens the league's Australian stop. ABC reported that South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas did not expect next year's tournament at Kooyonga Golf Club to proceed. Speaking to ABC Adelaide, he stressed that he had not received official confirmation from LIV itself, making his assessment distinct from a formal cancellation announcement by the league.

Malinauskas said the state government would not fund a tournament without a field comparable in quality to previous editions. He also said the state's contractual payments were linked to staging an event, so it would not pay for one that did not happen. Other arrangements would require advice, he added. Adelaide has hosted four annual LIV tournaments since 2023, according to ABC.

The attempted rescue followed LIV's September bankruptcy-protection filing in New Jersey. ABC reported that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had announced it would stop financing the league after the 2026 season. The broadcaster said neither LIV nor BC Partners immediately answered Reuters' requests for comment. The proposed 2027 restart therefore remains the subject of reporting and pending proceedings, rather than a completed rescue.