LIV Golf faces wind-down after relaunch investor withdraws, reports say

LIV Golf is expected to wind down after prospective financial backer BC Partners withdrew support for its proposed relaunch, BBC Sport reported. The league had been trying to secure enough player commitments to continue in 2027, but the financing plan was no longer considered viable. A formal announcement was expected at a court hearing on Thursday.

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According to BBC Sport, the proposed financing could have provided up to $300m after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing in April. LIV subsequently sought bankruptcy protection in September. People working on the replacement competition had secured about 30 players, including major winners, and commitments from co-investors, but sources said the necessary agreements could not be completed within the available time.

The uncertainty also affects Adelaide's scheduled tournament at Kooyonga Golf Club from 18-21 March 2027. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas told ABC Adelaide that he did not expect the event to proceed, BBC Sport reported. He said advice would be needed on other arrangements, while linking the funding problem to the failure to secure players.

The Guardian separately reported that the Financial Times and the Athletic had described BC Partners' withdrawal, citing anonymous sources. Its report said LIV's remaining assets were expected to be liquidated. Thursday's bankruptcy hearing in Trenton, New Jersey, was due to address contracts, leases and assets; whether the league's final fate would also be discussed remained unclear.

The proposed revival, called LIV 2.0, had envisaged fewer events, smaller prize funds and ownership stakes for players, according to the Guardian. Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia had publicly decided against joining the new version in recent weeks. Bryson DeChambeau had continued to support LIV but had not publicly committed to returning, leaving another prominent player's participation unresolved.

The Guardian said bankruptcy documents listed estimated liabilities of between $500m and $1bn involving at least 1,000 creditors, including players. Rahm, DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson each held unsecured claims exceeding $5m. LIV did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request for comment, and the reported winding-down plans had not yet been presented as a completed court outcome.