How LIV Golf blew $6 billion of Saudi Arabian cash in its high-priced failure
LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, reportedly spent $6 billion since its 2021 launch before ceasing operations in 2026. The league attracted top golfers with massive contracts and high prize money, including $300 million for Jon Rahm and $200 million for Phil Mickelson. Despite significant spending on player salaries and tournament purses, LIV Golf accumulated substantial losses, ultimately leading to its shutdown.
- ▪Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invested $6 billion in LIV Golf before discontinuing the league in 2026.
- ▪Jon Rahm received a reported $300 million to join LIV Golf from the PGA Tour.
- ▪LIV Golf tournaments offered $25 million to $30 million purses, with individual payouts ranging from $50,000 to over $4 million.
- ▪The league lost an estimated $1.1 billion between 2022 and 2024, with monthly net spending exceeding $100 million.
- ▪Bryson DeChambeau, Talor Gooch, and Dustin Johnson were among the top earners, with tens of millions in prize and contract earnings.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Golf How LIV Golf blew $6 billion of Saudi Arabian cash in its high-priced failure By Michael Blinn Published May 1, 2026, 11:04 a.m. ET The numbers around LIV Golf have always jumped off the page, but one has been in the headlines more than others in recent weeks: $6 billion. As in, that’s how much Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was willing to pour into the rebel golf league since its inception in 2021 before officially pulling the plug this week. 3 Jon Rahm of Legion XIII lines up a putt on the 6th green during day four of LIV Golf Mexico City.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from New York Post
