LIV Golf’s survival in doubt with BC Partners set to back out of deal

LIV Golf's survival in doubt with BC Partners set to back out of accord.

Key points

• LIV Golf introduced in 2022 with the financial backing of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and initially lured away a number of established PGA Tour stars.
• More than a dozen notable LIV golfers have remarked publicly that they are not joining LIV 2.0, including major stars like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
• Top LIV golfers such as Rahm and Hatton previously had been granted conditional releases to participate in DP World Tour events.
• Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler offered particularly different answers when asked if returning LIV golfers would add value to the PGA Tour.
• The move could leave LIV Golf facing liquidation after league executives remarked bankruptcy proceedings would pave the way for a player-owned relaunch of the tour in 2027.

LIV Golf's survival in doubt with BC Partners set to back out of accord. Mark Giannotto USA TODAY. Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler differ on LIV returns.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler offered particularly different answers when asked if returning LIV golfers would add value to the PGA Tour. LIV Golf's latest bid for survival appears to be unraveling.

BC Partners Credit, the private equity firm that agreed last month to become the league's new lead investor, is projected to pull out of aims to provide up to $300 million in funding for LIV Golf 2.0 after the league failed to secure enough player commitments, according to multiple reports on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Notably, the move could leave LIV Golf facing liquidation after league executives remarked bankruptcy proceedings would pave the way for a player-owned relaunch of the tour in 2027. LIV Golf is due to appear in U.S. Bankruptcy court on Thursday, Nov. 5 for a previously scheduled hearing related to the status of its case.

As of Wednesday afternoon, no public filing in LIV Golf's Chapter 11 case appeared to show BC Partners had formally terminated the restructuring backing agreement approved by the bankruptcy court last month.

PGA TOUR: Jon Rahm breaks silence on LIV Golf departure and PGA Tour return.

Though league office-holders have insisted the move is intended to facilitate a restructuring and launch a player-owned version of the tour for the 2027 season, the professional golf league filed for federal bankruptcy protection in New Jersey in September after months of speculation regarding its future. It confirmed a agreement with BC Partners on Oct. 5 that included an initial investment of $4 million as part of a restructuring backing agreement filed in court documents.

But executing the formal agreement always hinged on the commitment of a group of "requisite players" that BC Partners determined are necessary to ensure LIV Golf can continue as a "bona fide golf league." The latest report stated LIV Golf authorities and BC Partners were unable to secure enough backing ahead of an Oct. 25 deadline that had already been pushed back.

More than a dozen notable LIV golfers have remarked publicly that they are not joining LIV 2.0, including major stars like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. Bryson DeChambeau's status moving forward remains uncertain as his most recent comments suggested he was still hopeful LIV Golf would live on in some form.

LIV 2.0 struggled to generate momentum with its best golfers from last season once the DP World Tour confirmed last month that LIV Golf members would not be permitted to play in DP World Tour events in 2027 if they remain with LIV. Top LIV golfers such as Rahm and Hatton previously had been granted conditional releases to participate in DP World Tour events.

LIV Golf introduced in 2022 with the financial backing of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and initially lured away a number of established PGA Tour stars. But the PIF concluded its backing last April after reportedly spending more than $5 billion on the league. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, LIV Golfs survival in doubt with BC Partners set to back out remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.