What's the financial fallout of canceled LIV Golf event in Michigan?

DETROIT — LIV Golf finally has confirmed what’s been quite clear for a while: The Michigan tournament is not happening. LIV Golf announced Monday afternoon it will crown its 2026 individual and team champions this week at its event in Indianapolis.

Michigan was supposed to host the season-ending team championship for a second consecutive year, from Aug. 27-30, but there have been countless signs for the past several weeks that Michigan’s tournament was doomed, amid the league’s ongoing funding crisis. There was no immediate word on financial implications for Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth Township, where the tournament was to be hosted at The Cardinal. The resort is believed to have paid a seven-figure fee to LIV to host.

How do fans get refunds for tickets to Michigan LIV Golf?

LIV Golf said fans who purchased tickets to the Michigan event will receive refunds, but didn’t give any specific details on how or when refunds would be issued. The News has reached out to LIV Golf for clarity. LIV Golf still was selling tickets to the Michigan tournament until late last week, despite obvious signs the event wasn’t happening.

“We are disappointed that the LIV Golf team championship will no longer be held in August,” Kevin Doyle, COO of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, said in a statement to The Detroit News. “We were excited to welcome the event back after last year’s tremendous reception from fans and the praise Saint John’s Resort and The Cardinal received from LIV players. We wish LIV the best in the future. And we remain committed to making Saint John’s Resort a place where the Michigan community comes to expect memorable, one-of-a-kind golf and resort experiences.”

A LIV Golf representative told The Detroit News: “Details on refunds are being communicated directly to affected ticket holders.”

LIV Golf’s 2025 team championship was the first marquee event held at The Cardinal, a championship public course designed by Michigan’s Ray Heard. It opened for public play in the spring of 2024. LIV Golf’s debut in Michigan was an undeniable hit, drawing more than 20,000 fans to the three-day LIV Golf team championship, which saw Jon Rahm’s team beat Bryson DeChambeau’s team in a two-hole sudden-death playoff.

That capped a weekend that drew rave reviews from fans who were treated to your not-so-typical golf tournament, with music and booze at every turn. LIV Golf announced in December that it was returning to The Cardinal for its 2026 season finale, but things started unraveling in the months that followed, as LIV Golf lost its chief financial backer in the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, amid billions in losses since the league launched in 2022. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has been on a frantic search to find new investors, and earlier this month he announced a new lead investor, though he didn’t publicly identify the new money person or corporation.

That new lead investment is reportedly hinging on the commitment of players, most notable Rahm and DeChambeau, the league’s two biggest stars. They are being asked to take on more equity, perhaps in lieu of at least some of the dollars remaining on their contracts. Rahm is said to be owed more than $100 million. Rahm and DeChambeau haven’t announced decisions on their short- or long-term futures. Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf earlier this year to return to the PGA Tour, while Patrick Reed also left LIV Golf this year, with an eye on returning to the PGA Tour in 2026.

Flags blowing in the wind near the practice putting green during day three of the LIV Golf Team Championship Michigan at The Cardinal at Saint John’s on August 24, 2025 in Plymouth, Michigan.

In the meantime, amid the league’s funding crisis, there had been no infrastructure buildout at The Cardinal, an obvious sign the tournament long had long been doomed. It typically takes multiple months of building grandstands, VIP hospitality structures and concession areas ahead of hosting big-time golf tournaments. Saint John’s staff had been telling curious recreational golfers for weeks that the tournament was not happening. The team championship in Michigan also was supposed to have a $40 million purse.

What does the future look like for LIV Golf?

The league’s funding issues will hit Indianapolis’ tournament, too, to be held Aug. 20-24. LIV Golf announced Monday that its concert lineup for the tournament at Chatham Hills no longer is happening. Thomas Rhett and Disco Lines were set to perform. “By concluding the season now, we can put our full resources behind what comes next and maintain the operational rigor this transition demands,” O’Neil said in a statement Monday. “As we concentrate on finishing the season strong and building the next chapter of LIV Golf, we’ll carry the energy and enthusiasm our fans have shown us into what comes next. The road ahead is possible because of the people who stand behind this league — our fans, players, caddies, employees, partners and sponsors.”

On canceling the Michigan tournament, the league said in its Monday press release, “LIV Golf is grateful to the Pulte Family Foundation for their partnership and support.” The Michigan tournament is the second canceled by LIV Golf this season. Earlier, it canceled an event in New Orleans.

LIV golfers Tyrrell Hatton, Adrian Meronk and Tom McKibbon already had signed up to play a DP World Tour tournament next week, the same week as the now-scrapped Michigan tournament, before LIV Golf’s announcement. Saint John’s remains interested in hosting marquee golf tournaments, and before it landed LIV Golf’s championship in 2025, it had discussions with the LPGA. It also has eyed the Korn Ferry Tour.

The Cardinal plays just over 7,000 yards, max, so it’s too short to host a PGA Tour tournament, but the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, which oversees the resort, hasn’t shot down the speculation that it would be interested in sponsoring a PGA Tour tournament somewhere in Detroit and Metro Detroit. The Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club was played for the eighth and final time this month. Doyle declined comment Monday when asked about any specific interest in the PGA Tour.

tpaul@detroitnews.com. @tonypaul1984

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: What’s the financial fallout of canceled LIV Golf event in Michigan?

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