Fans attending the LIV Golf New York event at Donald Trump's National Golf Club Bedminster on Friday appeared largely unconcerned with the league's recent financial developments, focusing instead on the competition and players. The event took place amid news that LIV Golf had secured new investment to continue operations beyond the current season, a detail that did not seem to significantly engage the spectators interviewed.
Many attendees stated their primary motivation for being at the event was their enjoyment of the sport itself. Lorenzo Stanziola, 21, a resident of New Jersey, suggested that the "drama" surrounding LIV Golf is often overemphasized. "If you like the game, then you’ll like the fact that it could be expanded globally and everybody is going to get involved rather than just the PGA [Tour] keeping it strictly [to] Europe and America," Stanziola said.
Steve Kozel, in his 60s, acknowledged hearing about LIV's future uncertainty but stated, "it doesn’t really concern me." He added that the news of new funding "doesn’t mean anything to me," indicating a disconnect between the league's business dealings and the fan experience on the ground.
John Coutinho, 48, from Roxbury, N.J., was attending his first live golf event with his son, describing it as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." This sentiment highlights a focus on the event experience rather than the sport's business controversies.
LIV's financial stability has been a recurring narrative throughout the 2026 season, particularly after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing earlier this year. However, CEO Scott O’Neil confirmed that investors have been found to ensure the league's continuation, a development that leaves many questions about its future structure and player commitments.
Despite the ongoing questions, fans like Catie Gilhuley expressed a positive outlook. "I’m not up on all the details, but I do think that it’s interesting to have something other than the PGA," she said. "Just like in any sport, to have kind of just a different vibe, especially to get non-golf fans to be more into it and it’s just fun. And then also just to see new courses and [make it] a little bit more accessible."
While LIV Golf does not release attendance figures, the crowds on Friday were described as modest. The league did adjust tee times earlier in the day due to high temperatures.
Reports have suggested that LIV Golf has faced challenges attracting large audiences in the United States, with a previous event in Virginia noted for sparse attendance. Golf content creator Alex Stone, 39, theorized that the media framing of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf rivalry contributes to spectator division. "It’s almost like the same dynamic of men’s basketball versus women’s basketball," Stone commented. "I think in other places it’s just golf, but to us, because somebody told us to pick a side, we picked a side. … We don’t care. Who wants to pick a side when you’re just trying to view golf?"