LIV Golf’s Future and Possible Penalties for Returning Players

Scottie Scheffler is open to the idea of LIV Golf players returning to the PGA Tour. However, he believes they should face penalties for chasing Saudi money. Rory McIlroy also envisions unification at some point. When questioned about the value these players would bring to the PGA Tour, McIlroy was skeptical.

“I mean, I’d argue have they brought value to LIV?”

He expressed his doubts during the BMW Championship. The future of LIV Golf is currently uncertain. The Indianapolis event marks the last of the year. The league will not receive further funding from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

Scott O’Neil, LIV CEO, remains positive about future plans. He envisions players becoming equity owners and regaining their commercial rights by 2027. O’Neil plans for five team championships overseas and five individual tournaments in the U.S., possibly aligning with major events for qualified players. The main investor behind these plans remains unnamed. Reports suggest Ted Goldthorpe of BC Partners may be involved. He met with players recently.

O’Neil emphasized the importance of player involvement. The deadline for commitment to LIV 2.0 has not been disclosed. LIV Golf reportedly spent over $5 billion in five years.

“The entirety of our focus is to get to this transaction and get through it,” O’Neil said.

Critical players for LIV Golf include Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau. Rahm’s contract lasts until 2027, while DeChambeau’s ends this year. Both are two-time major champions. Brooks Koepka was the first to return to the PGA Tour. He needed to meet specific conditions, including earning his spot, donating $5 million to charity, and forfeiting access to equity.

The PGA Tour has proposed similar deals to Rahm, DeChambeau, and Cameron Smith. The deadline for their decision is two weeks. Scheffler acknowledges LIV Golf has some talented players who could enhance the PGA Tour.

“I think the depth that we have on our tour is unmatched…some players that would provide a lot of value,” Scheffler noted.

The specifics of any penalties remain up to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp.

McIlroy, initially a strong critic of LIV, has softened over time. In early 2025, he suggested players might need to move past their differences. However, he sounded more hesitant recently. He questioned the potential welcome back for top players who had earlier chances to return.

“I’m pretty sure they’re not going to be welcomed back straight away,” McIlroy stated.

He suggests any future deals may not match the terms Brooks received.

Multiple lawsuits against LIV also create challenges. Mobbi Systems Group from Canada has filed a lawsuit in Miami, seeking over $1 million for unpaid work and lost revenue related to LIV’s broadcast feature “Any Shot, Any Time.” Fresh Tape Media in Colorado has filed a separate lawsuit in New York for more than $1.2 million owed.

O’Neil responded, “We’re doing everything we can to make sure we can do right by them.”

The lawsuits, uncertainty of investments, and potential player penalties all contribute to a challenging landscape for LIV Golf moving forward.