LIV to wind down after backers withdraw support

LIV Golf is set to be wound down after its investor withdrew support because the proposed new league failed to attract enough players.

LIV had hoped BC Partners Credit would provide a possible $300m (£223m) in financing after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew its backing in April, leading to the league filing for bankruptcy protection in September.

The funding could have helped the competition move forward in a new form, dubbed LIV 2.0, but BC Partners is understood to have decided it is not viable to pursue a deal.

While leading players such as Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia had already walked away, BBC Sport understands that those working on LIV 2.0 had received commitments from co-investors, felt support from within the golf ecosystem and had about 30 players signed up, including major winners.

But sources say the timelines ultimately proved insurmountable and they could not get the agreements they needed to move forward.

The league had been facing a deadline to show it had enough player support to continue in 2027.

The expectation is that an attorney acting for LIV will announce in a court hearing on Thursday that the proposal for LIV 2.0 is not viable.

LIV Golf has provided one of the most tumultuous episodes in the history of golf since its launch in 2021, one which threatened to tear the sport apart.

High-profile players joined and were banned from other tours, as well as events such as the Ryder Cup.

More than $5bn (£3.7bn) was spent by PIF, with major winners including Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau lured by lucrative contracts and vast prize money.

But the future of the concept - and its star players - has been shrouded in uncertainty this year after the 2026 season ended early. An event in August in Indianapolis proved to be the last.

When PIF announced it was withdrawing its funding in April, LIV announced a "strategic evolution" - including a newly established independent board - and attempted to find replacement financial investors.

The exodus of players continued, however, including the exits of Rahm, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell. When Rahm left it was reported he was owed about $100m (£75m) from the remainder of the contract.

The European tour, which is sponsored by DP World, had also increased pressure on players when it announced last month that those who signed up to LIV Golf next season would not be allowed to be members of the European tour in 2027.

That would have also spelled an end to any players with ambitions of featuring in the Ryder Cup as only DP World Tour members can play for Europe in the biennial team competition.

Speaking this week, Lee Westwood, one of the most high-profile players to join LIV when it first began in 2022, said the proposed revamp still had potential to thrive but added "there hasn't been anything presented to me that is agreeable for LIV 2.0".

DeChambeau, who had not revealed his future plans, said he hopes the league "exists forever", while former Taylor Made and Adidas executive Mark King was appointed as a senior adviser last week.

A loose deadline for LIV to confirm its players for 2027 had been set for last Sunday - a point which, having now passed, appears to be drawing the saga to an end.