Tyrrell Hatton Expects LIV Golf to Continue Despite Layoffs

Tyrrell Hatton expects LIV Golf to continue in 2027 despite confirmed layoffs and an early end to the circuit's 2026 season, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Englishman made the assessment at the Belfry before the job cuts became public, saying he believed work to secure funding was moving forward.

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LIV Golf, which began competition in 2022, says it needs $350 million in new investment to survive. Its backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is reaching its conclusion, and BBC Sport reported that a term sheet has been signed with a potential new investor. However, there has been no confirmation that firm funding is in place, leaving the circuit's plans unresolved.

A LIV spokesperson confirmed to BBC Sport that employees are being laid off. In a statement, the organisation said many staff members had been told their employment under what it calls LIV 1.0 would end in the first week of September. LIV said it was reducing operations while working toward a proposed next phase, which it describes as LIV 2.0, and supporting employees affected by the transition.

The circuit's season ended in Indianapolis last week, earlier than planned. Its intended finale, the team championship scheduled for Detroit this week, was cancelled. Hatton instead entered the British Masters, which starts Thursday at the Belfry, as he continues a schedule on the DP World Tour for the rest of the year.

Hatton told BBC Sport that he has multiple years remaining on his LIV contract and said his immediate attention was on playing golf. Earlier in 2026, the DP World Tour reached an agreement with several LIV players, including Hatton and Jon Rahm, allowing them to compete without sanctions from the European-based circuit. That arrangement preserved their DP World Tour membership and Ryder Cup eligibility, but it applies only to this year and will not continue in 2027.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald said LIV's uncertain future prevented the circuit from being awarded qualifying points. Qualification for the 2027 match began this week, and Hatton has said he wants to remain part of the European team after appearing in the past four contests. For now, his stated position is that he expects LIV to return next season while completing his remaining DP World Tour commitments.