A Louisiana television station is reporting that an upcoming LIV Golf event will be postponed, the latest development fueling persistent questions about the league’s financial footing and adding to growing speculation that funding concerns are becoming an unwelcome distraction.
The report surfaces just weeks after LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil embarked on a media blitz aimed at pushing back against widespread claims that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund was preparing to scale back or withdraw its support. O’Neil reportedly told multiple people at the Masters that the circuit was fully funded at least through this year, projecting confidence and stability at a moment of heightened scrutiny.
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“The reality is that you’re funded through the season, and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going,” O’Neil said. “But that’s not different from any other private equity-funded business in the history of mankind.”
Talor Gooch of Smash GC interacts with Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO, on the first hole on day two of LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama on July 12, 2025 in Cádiz, Spain.
Now, WDSU in New Orleans is reporting that the upcoming LIV Golf Louisiana in June will be postponed.
The event, which would be a first of its kind in New Orleans and City Park, is backed by the Saudi Private Investment Fund.
Sources tell WDSU the state of Louisiana is postponing the event until LIV can restructure financially and find additional sources of funding.
The event could be rescheduled in the future.
There are three scheduled events before the Louisiana stop on the LIV Golf schedule, one in Washington, D.C., at Trump National, followed by stops in South Korea and Spain.
Without mentioning funding specifically, O’Neil sent a memorandum to LIV Golf employees on April 15 that said its 2026 season “continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” A report from Reuters cited multiple sources that LIV was funded through the end of this season, but beyond that, major questions remained. Up until his interview with Wilson on TNT Sports, O’Neil had not confirmed that to be the case.
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Either way, Louisiana was prepared to roll out the red carpet for the event, according to WDSU.
City Park had a massive renovation to its golf course ahead of the LIV event.
City Park is a state entity and received $2 million to upgrade its facilities in preparation for the tournament.
Gov. Jeff Landry’s office also earmarked $3 million as a hosting fee to lure LIV to New Orleans, promising a $70 million impact during what is usually a slow summer slump for tourism.
While reports have circulated about the funding issues, LIV Golf has carried on with business as usual, including its recent Mexico City stop. Also, the team previously known as Smash GC, which was originally captained by Brooks Koepka, has changed its name to OKGC, in homage to current captain Talor Gooch’s Oklahoma roots. Gooch became the frontman of Smash when Koepka left LIV Golf in December.
Golfweek has reached out to LIV Golf sources for comment.
Tim Schmitt is the managing editor of Golfweek.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Report: LIV Golf Louisiana event to be postponed amid funding issues
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