LIV Golf lays off majority of staff as discussions continue to secure fresh investment and 'make LIV 2.0 a reality'

LIV Golf has confirmed they will cut most of their staff from next week, with talks ongoing to secure their long-term future.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund [PIF] elected to end their funding after the conclusion of the 2026 season, with LIV Golf forced to reduce staffing levels regardless of whether they can finalise any potential transactions to continue.

The league informed 'the majority of its workforce' this week that their employment under LIV 1.0 will conclude early next month, having previously warned staff of potential redundancies in July.

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No final decision has been made on the staffing levels required for any future version of LIV Golf, with the league - previously home to over 300 staff globally - still hopeful that some can return should the new iteration materialise.

"The funding commitment announced by PIF earlier this year will reach its conclusion," a LIV spokesperson told Sky Sports. "As a result, we are scaling back operations as we transition to the next chapter of LIV Golf and work toward making LIV 2.0 a reality.

"This week, we informed many of our colleagues that their employment under LIV 1.0 will end in the first week of September.

"We are grateful to our employees for their hard work and dedication in building LIV Golf, and we remain committed to supporting those affected through this transition."

The LIV Golf season finished a week early after the cancellation of the Team Championship in Michigan, with chief executive Scott O'Neil saying at their Indianapolis event he was optimistic they could finalise fresh investment and move forward.

LIV is understood to be in discussions with both a prospective lead investor and multiple minority investors, although the term sheet signed to fund them next season is non-binding and has not yet been finalised.

⁠Proposals include making the league majority-owned by its players and with a focus around 'commercial discipline', with a potential schedule of five Team Championships - in five different continents - and five Signature Events around the majors.

Players push for positive outcome

Bryson DeChambeau said ahead of last week's season finale he hoped people would give LIV Golf 'one more shot and be open minded', while Ian Poulter said it would be 'a real shame' if the league was unable to continue.

Tyrrell Hatton among the late entrants into the Husqvarna British Masters after the Team Championship cancellation, due to be held the same week, where the Englishman refused to be drawn into speculation over his own playing future.

"I would expect there to be LIV next season," Hatton said in his pre-tournament press conference. "I know they've worked really hard to get the funding and stuff in place, so I know it's full steam ahead on that front."

When asked whether he had considered his own future schedule: "To be honest, I haven't thought about that - I've got enough to worry about with playing golf for the rest of the year.

"I've still got multiple years left in my contract with LIV and I've got plenty of tournaments this year, so there's nothing really to focus on other than the golf."

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(c) Sky Sports 2026: LIV Golf lays off majority of staff as discussions continue to secure fresh investment and 'make LIV 2.0 a reality'