Tag: LIV Golf

  • LIV Bankruptcy Protection: What’s Next for Players as PGA Tour and DP World Tour Wait?

    LIV Bankruptcy Protection: What’s Next for Players as PGA Tour and DP World Tour Wait?

    Court documents reveal that LIV Golf estimates its assets between $100 million and $500 million (£74 million–£370 million), while liabilities range from $500 million to $1 billion (£370 million–£739 million). The proposed restructuring, dubbed LIV 2.0, is intended to be built around a sustainable business model.

    Player Retention Emerges as Critical Hurdle

    It remains unclear how many of LIV’s current players will commit to the new entity. Although LIV executives are optimistic about transitioning to a new era early next year, both the bankruptcy filing and the first U.S. court hearing on Wednesday underscored that player retention is the pivotal issue, with tight deadlines and stringent criteria.

    Key Milestones and the 35-Day Deadline

    The bankruptcy paperwork outlines several key milestones. Most immediately, within 35 days of the petition, a requisite number of players must have entered into the restructuring agreement. The documents define this threshold precisely:

    Requisite players’ means players holding eligible player claims… that equal or exceed (a) 2/3 in amount and (b) 1/2 in number of such eligible player claims held by all players.

    In practical terms, at least half of all players with claims against LIV Golf need to sign on to LIV 2.0 by mid-October. Because the largest claims belong to the sport’s biggest names, securing commitments from several top players is essential.

    Top Creditors Headlined by Jon Rahm

    Jon Rahm leads the list of unsecured creditors, owed $7.5 million (£5.5 million) for the third quarter of this year. The next four largest claimants are Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Adrian Meronk.

  • Brooks Koepka Gives Muted Response to Tiger Woods’ League Debut While Owed $1.7M by LIV

    Brooks Koepka Gives Muted Response to Tiger Woods’ League Debut While Owed $1.7M by LIV

    Brooks Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour has not gone according to plan, with the five-time major champion securing just one top-10 finish. Adding to the setback, recent revelations show he is still owed $1.7 million after LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy, leaving the breakaway circuit he championed in tatters.

    Koepka Returns at Irish Open After Bahamas Trip

    Koepka returns to action at the Irish Open on Thursday, fresh off a trip to the Bahamas. He is looking to “completely reevaluate everything” in his game ahead of the 2027 season. Quitting LIV for a United States-heavy schedule has also given him more time at home with wife Jena Sims and their three-year-old son, Crew.

    “I’ve had a blast. It’s been a bunch of fun,” Koepka said. “Everybody’s happy. My wife’s happy, I’d say my son’s happy, and I’m happy, so that’s all that matters.”

    TGL Debut with Motor City Golf Club

    Koepka still has opportunities to play on the PGA Tour’s fall schedule if he wishes and will make his debut in Tiger Woods’ TGL for the 2027 season. He has joined the expansion Motor City Golf Club, which is set to represent Detroit when the third edition begins at SoFi Center — not far from his Florida home.

    “I felt comfortable when I met with [TGL],” he said. “It’s something to do.

    “It’s close by, and I think if you kind of look at it, the guys who have played well over the last little bit have played in it.”

    “I don’t know if there’s an advantage to it or not. But it seems like something fun, something I’m interested in. I think it will be a cool experience.”

    Fan Reaction to Koepka’s TGL Comments

    Fans were loving Koepka’s muted response.

    “It’s something to do.” —Brooks Koepka on TGL,” one fan wrote.

    “It’s like a blurb you see on a book jacket from a famous person who hates both the author and the book, but is willing to do them a favor.”

    Working with Pete Cowen and Ricky Elliott at Portrush

    Koepka has been working with coach Pete Cowen and caddie Ricky Elliott looking to hit form in Portrush.

    “It’s hard to tell. It’s just practice,” he told the Mirror when asked if it was working. “You can’t really get a feel for it until the competition. But, everything feels like it’s going in the right direction.

    “I’m just trying to stay positive. I still believe I can go win any week, any day, any tournament. But when you’re putting like that and it’s holding you back, it’s very tough to win.

    “You’ve just got to deal with it and move on and make some changes.”

    Son Crew Shows Early Interest in Golf

    His son is also showing early signs he could carry on the family legacy.

    “He hits it around a little bit,” Koepka added. “I think more when he sees me prep for an event or my clubs kind of sitting by the front door for a day.

    “Knowing I’m going to leave, he likes to play a little bit more. He enjoys it. We’ve got a warehouse. He goes over there and knocks the ball around and just enjoys being around it, I guess.”

    “I would say he’s not too interested in sports right now. Everything is Hot Wheels, Monster Jam, anything car-related, he’s pretty into. And airplanes. So I just let him pick. I’m not going to force anything down his throat.”

  • LIV Golf’s Future Uncertain Without Saudi Investment

    LIV Golf’s Future Uncertain Without Saudi Investment

    The future of LIV Golf hinges on player commitments in the coming weeks, with stakeholders emphasizing that without a critical mass of sign-ups, a proposed “LIV 2.0” transaction cannot proceed. League officials and players alike are navigating a period of uncertainty, as athletes weigh career options amid ongoing negotiations.

    League Official Stresses Player Importance for Transaction

    When asked if a critical mass of players was required before a deal could be finalized, a league representative stated: “The entirety of our focus is to get to this transaction and get through it. Without the players, that becomes very difficult. I have a good level of confidence in my conversation that we’ll have a critical mass of the right players to move this league forward.”

    McDowell Describes ‘Subdued’ Mood Among Players

    Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, a 2010 U.S. Open champion who joined LIV in 2022, told BBC Sport the atmosphere among the 57 players is “subdued.” He highlighted the diverse circumstances each athlete faces: “There are 57 players out here on LIV and there are 57 different mindsets. Some guys have some exemptions in other tours, some have nowhere to go [if LIV folds].”

    McDowell said he plans to take “a step back” to evaluate his future after the Indianapolis event. “If LIV 2.0 goes ahead, we’ll look at the schedule and how it all plays out, and see if that suits me and my lifestyle,” he added. “I have an opportunity to go back to the European Tour and play there as well. Whether the two of those can happen simultaneously, whether I can only do one or the other, there are questions like that we don’t know the answers to. Until I get that, it’s very difficult to make any decisions.”

    Smith Expresses Affection for LIV but Awaits Details

    Cameron Smith, who joined LIV shortly after winning The Open in 2022, indicated he would need “a little bit of time to think about that once the season is done.” Asked if he would like to remain with LIV, Smith replied: “I really love LIV. It has done wonders for my family, for golf in Australia, my friends, the people that we’ve got to meet around the world. It would be a shame for it to be done, but we’ll see what happens.”

    Unnamed Players Share Mixed Sentiments

    Several players declined to speak on the record. One senior player described an “emotional” feeling within the group as they await clarity. Another offered a brief, shifting assessment: “it’s been great”, before quickly adding “it is great”.

    Jon Rahm, whose future is the subject of considerable speculation, made it clear he would not speak to media beyond his tournament obligations. American Bryson DeChambeau also declined an interview request from BBC Sport.

    DeChambeau Calls for Open-Mindedness

    After Thursday’s first round, DeChambeau addressed the situation: “We definitely have a lot against us. If it works, it works, awesome. If it doesn’t, we’ll figure things out. Time will move on, and I would say that time heals things. I hope people can see that we actually bring value to the game of golf. My wish is that people give us one more shot and be open minded.”