The earthquake in the golf circus enters its next round, and right in the middle: Rory McIlroy. What had been brewing for months is now a bitter reality for LIV Golf: the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is turning off its financial spigot. This is not just a shock for the expensively acquired stars, but also a real statement for the future of professional golf.
Rory McIlroy, the PGA Tour's spokesman, made no secret of his relief on May 12, 2026. "I'm glad to have been wrong," he said, referring to his earlier hope for a deal between the PGA Tour and PIF. The LIV Golf League is now in a "precarious state," according to McIlroy. Rumors about the PIF withdrawal had already leaked in March; even his caddie colleague Ricky McCormick, who is on the bag for LIV's Tom McKibbin, had caught wind of it.
What's Behind the PIF Exit?
The PIF had been LIV Golf's main financier since June 2022, pumping in over $5 billion. But on April 30, 2026, the official announcement came: no more funding beyond the current season. The PIF no longer sees the investment as aligned with its strategy and aims to focus on national Saudi programs. Even Yasir Al-Rumayyan has stepped down as LIV chairman, and other PIF officials have left the board. McIlroy put it bluntly: funding tied to geopolitical tensions is "tricky." If there's even a LIV calendar for 2027, it will "look drastically different," he speculates.
LIV's Future and Rahm's Confidence
LIV CEO Scott O'Neil is more optimistic, emphasizing last week that they are finalizing a business plan to attract new investors. The focus is on team-based value. While McIlroy views the unconfirmed sponsorship commitments skeptically, Jon Rahm continues to fly the flag. Rahm, one of the LIV captains, expressed his trust in the leadership to "get a handle on" the funding uncertainty. This confidence stands in stark contrast to Rory's pessimism but shows that the LIV stars are staying on board despite everything.
