LIV Golf has terminated the employment of the majority of its staff, the latest development in a period of significant uncertainty surrounding the future of the upstart golf tour. The decision comes after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it would cease funding beyond the 2026 season.

The tour concluded its 2026 season in Indianapolis last weekend. This year's schedule ended slightly earlier than planned, with the season-ending team championship in Michigan canceled. Reports indicate that LIV Golf informed its employees of the impending layoffs in July, with the reductions taking effect in the first week of September.

The exact number of employees impacted and their specific departments remain undisclosed, though LIV Golf is believed to employ approximately 300 staff members.

A spokesperson for LIV Golf confirmed the operational scaling back to Golf Digest, stating, "The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion. As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality."

The spokesperson added, "This week, we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September. We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition."

Launched in 2022 with substantial financial backing from Saudi Arabia's PIF, LIV Golf offered lucrative contracts and large prize funds to attract top players from the PGA Tour. However, the PIF's decision to withdraw funding after 2026 has cast a shadow over the circuit's long-term viability.

Scott O'Neil, LIV Golf's chief executive, recently stated that an investor has been secured to fund the league's operations in 2027. "LIV Golf has an agreement in place with a lead investor, signed by the investor and approved by the Board, to anchor the transaction and play a key role in supporting the path forward for the League’s next era, driven by and for the players," O'Neil said. He also indicated strong interest from over a dozen other parties for minority investments, aiming for a multi-partner model.

Under the proposed "LIV Golf 2.0" plan, the league aims to feature 10 team events annually, with five in the United States and five internationally. The schedule would also include events leading into the major championships, and allow players to compete on other tours. It is understood that under this new structure, players would become the majority equity holders in LIV Golf.

Reports from Golf Digest suggest that the identified investor may be BC Partners, a London-based private equity firm with connections to GSE Worldwide, an agency representing a significant portion of LIV's player roster. The identity of this lead investor has not been officially confirmed.

One event in New Orleans was previously scrapped, and the PGA Tour continues to enforce a one-year ban on players who compete in LIV Golf events.