LIV Golf CEO Says League Remains on Track Despite Funding Questions

This past Tuesday, LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil sat down with CNBC, where he said he has to trust that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) will fund LIV Golf through the remainder of the 2026 season. 

“I can say they’ve been terrific partners so far, and you have to take an incredible organization like PIF at their word,” O’Neil said. “They’ve been very public about funding us through the season, so we are full steam ahead.”

In May, LIV Golf was preparing to seek between $250 million and $350 million in funding, as PIF plans to suspend funding for the professional golf organization. 

CNBC reported in late April that PIF was pulling its funding and that PIF Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down as LIV Golf chairman. 

O'Neil Says LIV Golf Remains Focused on the Season

While O'Neil seems confident that PIF will fund it through the end of the season, CNBC said that "recent media reports suggested PIF could pull its money earlier than planned, raising doubts about whether the league could even finish out its season."

CNBC asked O'Neil about the reports, and he said that the players, advisors, and management were "locked in." 

He was then asked if he could guarantee the four remaining tournaments on the schedule would happen and he responded by saying that he can guarantee "a heck of a return if you come invest in this business" and added that LIV now needs to be “disciplined and very, very value-creative" to sustain itself. 

“I think we have a very, very special opportunity to create tremendous value,” O’Neil said.

LIV Continues Searching for New Investors

O'Neil told CNBC he's had five formal meetings to discuss investment and funding for LIV Golf and has 18 planned for this upcoming week. He said that the response has "been positive."