LIV Golf Faces Potential Collapse, Endangering Cameron Smith's Career
The playing futures of Australian golf superstar Cameron Smith and his Team Ripper GC are shrouded in uncertainty following explosive reports that the multi-billion-dollar LIV Golf league could be on the verge of collapse. According to recent media coverage, the league's financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is under severe threat, potentially leaving top players in limbo.
Conflicting Reports on Funding and Emergency Meetings
The Financial Times has reported that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is close to cutting its substantial backing for LIV Golf, while The Telegraph suggested executives were summoned to an emergency meeting in New York to address the crisis. However, sources with knowledge of PIF's operations, as cited by Reuters, have countered these claims, asserting that funding will continue uninterrupted. They confirmed that the remaining nine tournaments of the 14-event 2026 schedule are set to proceed as planned, adding a layer of confusion to the situation.
Player Reactions and Speculation Amidst the Turmoil
Former Masters winner Sergio Garcia, one of the captains of the LIV teams, addressed the speculation ahead of this week's event in Mexico City. "Honestly, we haven't heard anything other than what Yasir (Al-Rumayyan, LIV Golf chairman) told us at the beginning of the year," Garcia stated. "That he's behind us, that they have a long-term project. And well, honestly, you know how these rumours are. There are always a lot of them. And I can't tell you anything more than what we already know."
The uncertainty has already impacted player movements, with five-time major winner Brooks Koepka quitting LIV earlier this year to return to the PGA Tour. Former Masters champion Patrick Reed also departed and is now competing on the DP World Tour as he aims to rejoin the PGA Tour. If LIV Golf does fold, it would leave Smith and his Ripper GC teammates—Marc Leishman, Lucas Herbert, and Elvis Smylie—in a precarious position, unsure of their next steps in professional golf.
Implications for Players and the Broader Golf Landscape
Cameron Smith, the 2022 British Open champion who has struggled recently with missed cuts at the past six majors, including last week's Masters, holds a stakeholder position in Ripper GC. Smylie, who only joined the team this year, made a splash by winning in just his second start at LIV Riyadh in February, defeating former Masters champion Jon Rahm. The potential collapse raises significant questions about player pathways back to established tours.
Golf Insider's Dan Rapaport commented on the situation, saying, "If LIV does cease to exist, the biggest question is what happens with the players. But I think there's already a clear precedent with Reed. Sit out a year from your last LIV event and then you're free to return with whatever status you earn. Rahm, Bryson would still have status from their recent major wins. Not sure the tour really cares all that much about anyone else."
Background and Global Impact of LIV Golf
Launched in 2022, LIV Golf has been a controversial force in the sport, criticized as a vehicle for Saudi Arabia to improve its reputation amid ongoing human rights concerns. Through lucrative contracts and high purses, the league attracted major names like Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau. The PGA Tour initially threatened defectors with life bans but later cut deals, such as with Koepka, allowing returns after fines were paid.
In June 2023, the PGA Tour, PIF, and DP World Tour announced a framework agreement to merge commercial operations, setting a December 31 deadline for a definitive deal. This move ended legal battles but sparked concerns in Washington, even drawing the attention of US President Donald Trump, who participated in meetings on the matter in February 2025 when optimism for resolution was high.
Despite the turmoil, LIV Golf has achieved notable successes, with LIV Golf Adelaide setting a record as the highest-attended golf tournament in Australian history, attracting over 115,000 fans. Last month's tournament in South Africa also drew more than 100,000 spectators, setting another national record. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders await further clarity on the league's fate and its impact on the global golf community.
