There are several LIV Golf players that have “sounded out the DP World Tour as part of their contingency plans” if LIV shuts down after the 2026 season, according to Ben Parson of TODAY’S GOLFER. Various LIV golfers have asked DP World Tour “about their options for next season and the tournaments they would be eligible for as they consider potential fallbacks.” In February, eight LIV players who are DP World Tour members agreed to a conditional deal that would enable them to “play in conflicting events without tournament releases.” In return, the eight were “required to settle any outstanding sanctions and to participate in additional DP World Tour events, as well as withdrawing appeals against the circuit.” LIV golfers Tom McKibbin, David Puig and Elvis Smylie all signed that deal and are among the favorites playing this week at the Turkish Airlines Open. Expectations that PIF is about to “pull its financial backing from LIV entirely” have left the league in an “increasingly vulnerable position.” League sources stressed that it is “very much ‘business as usual,’ with extensive plans still being made for its 13 teams and the 2027 calendar.” Yet without access to alternate funding, LIV Golf’s future “still appears perilous.” The postponement of the upcoming New Orleans event, which is leaving a seven-week gap in the calendar this summer, has “only added to the concern during a fraught period.” Such uncertainty has “not been lost on some of the league’s players, some of whom could face career limbo if LIV did suddenly cease operations” (TODAY’S GOLFER, 4/28).
POSTPONEMENT REASONS: In London, James Corrigan noted a LIV Golf statement claimed that the Louisiana tournament was being “moved to a possible date in the autumn, because of the expected weather conditions and the clash” with the World Cup. Those reasons were “widely greeted with derision within the sport.” Corrigan: “Neither of these factors should come as a surprise to LIV.” LIV Golf “stopped short of guaranteeing this ‘new window,’” although the plan seems to be “little more than an exhibition event to be held in the autumn.” Without New Orleans, there are now only 13 events on the schedule and a seven-week gap between those in June and July. Another concern to the golfers is that LIV does not have a tournament between the US Open and the Open and the majority of players “would wish for a tune-up” (London TELEGRAPH, 4/28). SI’s Bob Harig wrote playing in the fall in Louisiana “certainly comes with its challenges.” The heat is “still oppressive and it’s hurricane season.” Additionally, if there is a “sporting conflict then, it’s college football” (SI, 4/28).
