LIV Golf in Crisis: Season Finale Rumored Canceled Amid Threats of Star Player Jon Rahm's Departure

LIV Golf, reeling from financial difficulties, is facing deepening crises as rumors swirl regarding the cancellation of a tournament and the departure of key players.

The BBC reported that LIV players have been informed that the season-ending Team Championship, scheduled for later this month, is likely to be canceled.

LIV Golf's season was originally scheduled to wrap up with an event in Indianapolis, U.S., starting on the 20th, followed by the Team Championship "finale" in Michigan starting on the 27th.

The Michigan event was set to be a team competition where 13 LIV Golf teams compete for the title, and was scheduled to take place at St. John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan, U.S.

However, rumors regarding the cancellation of the Team Championship have been raised since last month, and as it becomes increasingly likely that the event will not take place, the Indianapolis tournament is growing more likely to mark the end of the season.

Although there has been no official announcement from LIV Golf regarding the cancellation, the ticket booking section for the Team Championship on the official LIV website currently displays a message reading "No longer available for purchase" and sales have been halted.

Adding to the turmoil, the UK's Telegraph reported that marquee star Jon Rahm (Spain) is expected to leave LIV Golf.

Citing sources, the Telegraph reported that LIV appears to be accepting Rahm's impending departure, with the player expected to make a decision within the coming weeks.

According to the Telegraph, Rahm was promised a signing bonus of 300 million dollars (approx. 424.8 billion KRW) when he joined LIV in 2024, but has not received a significant portion of it.

Former world number one Rahm is one of LIV's leading stars alongside Bryson DeChambeau (U.S.), having notably claimed first place in the LIV Golf individual points standings for three consecutive years from 2024 through this year.

LIV Golf, whose future has been clouded by financial crisis following the suspension of funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)—which had provided massive financial backing—recently stated that it would secure new investors to continue the tour.

The Telegraph reported, "Rahm reportedly does not find the new LIV Golf system—which features drastically reduced total prize money and a reduced schedule of 10 events—all that appealing."

After joining LIV, Rahm came into conflict with the DP World Tour, the European tour, before obtaining conditional permission in May to play in certain tournaments. The fact that the DP World Tour is now virtually unlikely to grant such permissions moving forward is also cited as a reason he is considering parting ways with LIV Golf.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.