LIV Golf has provided one of the most tumultuous episodes in the history of golf since its launch in 2021, one which threatened to tear the sport apart.
High-profile players joined and were banned from other tours, as well as events such as the Ryder Cup.
More than $5bn (£3.7bn) was spent by PIF, with major winners including Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau lured by lucrative contracts and vast prize money.
But the future of the concept – and its star players – has been shrouded in uncertainty this year after the 2026 season ended early. An event on 26 August in Indianapolis proved to be the last.
When PIF announced it was withdrawing its funding in April, LIV announced a “strategic evolution” – including a newly established independent board – and attempted to find replacement financial investors.
The exodus of players continued, however, including the exits of Rahm, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell. When Rahm left it was reported he was owed about $100m (£75m) from the remainder of the contract.
Speaking this week, Lee Westwood, one of the most high-profile players to join LIV when it first began in 2022, said the proposed revamp still had potential to thrive but added “there hasn’t been anything presented to me that is agreeable for LIV 2.0”.
DeChambeau, who had not revealed his future plans, said he hopes the league “exists forever”, while former Taylor Made and Adidas executive Mark King was appointed as a senior adviser last week.
A loose deadline for LIV to confirm its players for 2027 had been set for last Sunday – a point which, having now passed, appears to be drawing the saga to an end.
