LIV Golf could axe trademark feature amid funding | Golf News

LIV Golf seems set to eradicate another hallmark of its distinctive format in a bid to cut prices, just months after making the swap from 54 to 72 holes at the start of the season.

The Saudi-backed league is going through a potential shutdown after the PIF announced it might pull its funding following the 2026 season. The PIF has reportedly yet to pay for the ultimate two occasions on LIV’s schedule, as CEO Scott O’Neil frantically searches for different investment.

At the outset of the 2026 season, LIV Golf overhauled its format from 54 holes to 72, successfully undermining the that means behind the title LIV, which interprets to ’54’ in Roman numerals. Now, in a additional cost-cutting transfer, the league could also be wanting to abandon its trademark shotgun start format. It comes as Phil Mickelson kicked out of golf membership after inappropriate conduct allegations.

The shotgun start sees all gamers tee off concurrently on different holes across the course. Most skilled golf tournaments, including those on the PGA Tour, sometimes ship gamers through tees 1 and 10 at staggered intervals throughout the day, making certain play wraps up before dusk.

Veteran golf journalist Bob Harig stories that the shotgun start is both prohibitively costly and logistically difficult from a broadcasting standpoint.

“According to sources familiar with how LIV operates, its budget for TV production last year was in the neighborhood of $85 to $90 million for the 14-event schedule, which doesn’t include the salaries of the on-air talent,” Harig wrote.

“That works out to approximately $6 million per event, or roughly double what it costs to produce a PGA Tour event. And the PGA Tour has media rights deals and sponsorship arrangements that help the various networks cover those costs.

“LIV, of course, is doing all this on its own and without the strong TV rights and sponsorship charges to cowl the prices. Although the league has reported year-over-year will increase in both areas and has seen constructive response in a handful of its worldwide markets, such positive factors have been considered in the larger image of the Saudi Arabia benefactor.”

The league is grappling with enormous uncertainty, and Rahm’s future hangs in the balance as LIV Golf searches for potential investors, with the remainder of this season far from guaranteed. CEO Scott O’Neil told CNBC: “What I can guarantee is a heck of a return if you come invest in this business.”

Just days ago, O’Neil stated he must trust that the PIF will honor their commitment, as funds are directed toward employees, tournament operations, and some of the world’s elite players.

“I can say they have been terrific companions so far,” O’Neil told CNBC. “And you’ve got to take an unimaginable group like PIF at their phrase. They’ve been very public about funding us through the season, so we’re full steam forward. The gamers are locked in. The management crew is locked in.”

O’Neil revealed to CNBC that he had held five meetings with prospective investors that week, with 18 more already lined up. O’Neil stated: “We have unimaginable business momentum,” before adding, “What we do not have is a lot of time. So we’re very urgently on the market speaking to those who have an interest. We just like the pool, but we have now to get this carried out through the summer season.”