LIV could reschedule June's New Orleans event

LIV Golf could postpone its event in New Orleans in June amid continued questions over its future.

BBC Sport has been told that the Saudi Arabia-backed series has been in talks with local authorities in Louisiana about rescheduling the tournament to September or October.

According to sources, officials are keen to avoid peak summer heat and ensure the Bayou Oaks course at City Park is in top championship condition.

LIV bosses are also said to want to avoid a clash with the World Cup.

It would mean LIV Golf would not have any tournaments in the USA for a three-month period from 10 May until 6 August when it goes to Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.

However, amid reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to end its support for the breakaway tour, this will only intensify speculation.

Earlier this month, LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil told players the 2026 season would continue “as planned and uninterrupted” amid rumours the tour was on the verge of collapse.

The state of Louisiana had reportedly spent $7m (£5.1m) on the event, with $2m (£1.5m) towards upgrading the public Bayou Oaks course, and the remaining $5m (£3.7m) will go to LIV Golf as a hosting fee.

LIV Golf, the governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development are expected to issue a joint statement on Tuesday.

Discussion about LIV’s future went into overdrive earlier this month as the tour prepared for its latest event in Mexico.

Several media outlets – across golf, sports news and finance – reported its imminent closure, before chief executive O’Neil insisted it was business as usual in a tubthumping email to staff.

It was striking O’Neil only spoke about 2026 and did not address what might lie ahead.

Players were told last month that funding was in place until 2032 but well-placed figures in European golf told BBC Sport they believe PIF is withdrawing its financial support.

One source said he fully expected 2026 to be LIV’s last season and another felt its leadership was trying to convince itself other revenue could be found.

But many – as one summarised – think it may fall apart quickly.

The LIV project, which pivoted to a more traditional 72-hole format this year, has been bankrolled by an eye-watering amount of money from PIF.

The overall investment surpassed $5bn (£3.8bn) when fresh capital of $266.7m was injected earlier this year.

The tour’s net losses in markets outside the US increased to $462m (£340m) in 2024, meaning it had lost more than $1.1bn (£810m) since it was established in 2021.

With vast amounts of money pumped into the US arm of the operation, losses look likely to run to several billion dollars.

‘Significant hole in LIV’s schedule’ – analysis

This development would leave a significant hole in LIV’s schedule at the height of the golf season and adds to the uncertainty over the future of the breakaway league.

It comes just 12 days after LIV CEO O’Neil promised the tour would continue uninterrupted and at “full throttle” amid rumours Saudi Arabia are about to withdraw funding.

O’Neil has admitted they are looking for further financial backing beyond the 2026 season, but failing to deliver on their published schedule will not reassure potential new investors.

With no tournament in New Orleans, LIV would be left with a gap between 7 June and 23 July without an event, stalling momentum on what should have been a 14 tournament season.

This barren period includes the US Open and Open Championship and affects the major preparations of leading stars such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.

Rahm is not currently able to play on the DP World Tour because he has not paid fines imposed for playing LIV events without an official release.

The Spaniard is also suspended from the PGA Tour, and the Saudi-backed International Series on the Asian Tour has no events between mid June and October.

LIV players including Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Laurie Canter accepted a deal with the DP World Tour to remain members of the European circuit so they will have playing options during this crucial period in the golfing year.

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