LIV Golf's planned relaunch appears to be collapsing after BC Partners Credit decided to withdraw its $300 million backing, according to reports. The decision comes after a failure to secure commitments from prominent players needed to form a viable league for 2027.
Following the withdrawal of funding from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf's 2026 season concluded prematurely due to financial difficulties. The league had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September and was seeking new investment to launch 'LIV 2.0' without Saudi capital. BC Partners had agreed to invest approximately $300 million, contingent on certain conditions being met.
However, the deadline to demonstrate sufficient player support for a 2027 league has passed, leading BC Partners to shelve its backing, the Financial Times reported. A source cited by the Sports Business Journal indicated that "None of the big names signed," a list that reportedly included Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, and Cameron Smith.
The Athletic added that the league is now preparing for a complete wind-down and permanent closure. BC Partners reportedly concluded that time had run out and that a viable league could not be formed.
The liquidation process is anticipated to begin in a New Jersey bankruptcy court on Thursday. Many high-profile players had publicly stated they would not participate in the new league, including Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia. Only four players—Cameron Tringale, Richard Bland, Brendan Steele, and Ben Campbell—had publicly committed.
Earlier last month, BC chief Ted Goldthorpe emphasized the importance of player partnerships, telling Bunkered, "The players are everything. They're our partners and they're very, very important to our future." DeChambeau, in a recent podcast appearance, expressed optimism about the relaunch, suggesting it could last "forever" under new ownership and make "full financial sense," acknowledging issues with the previous Saudi-funded model.