Saudi-backed golf league LIV Golf will shut down after a five-year run, ending its high-profile rivalry with the PGA Tour. The decision comes after several top players, including Sergio Garcia, announced their departures from the circuit in recent weeks.
The league, financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, launched in 2022 with a format featuring 54-hole tournaments, team competition, and guaranteed prize money that lured major champions such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Brooks Koepka. Its emergence triggered a bitter split in professional golf, prompting lawsuits, player suspensions, and a realignment of the sport's commercial landscape.
LIV Golf's closure marks the conclusion of a disruptive chapter that forced the PGA Tour to accelerate its own reforms, including increased prize funds, designated events, and a partnership with the DP World Tour. The two sides had been negotiating a framework agreement since June 2023, but the league's operational shutdown suggests a definitive end to the standalone LIV entity.
Garcia, a former Masters champion and one of LIV's early high-profile signings, was among the players who confirmed exits ahead of the league's announcement. The Spaniard's departure, alongside others, signaled waning player commitment as the circuit's long-term viability came into question.
Details regarding the winding down of team contracts, remaining tournament obligations, and the status of LIV's broadcast agreements have not been disclosed. The PGA Tour has not issued a formal statement on the development.
