Donald Trump's message to PGA Tour as walls close in on LIV Golf
Donald Trump's message to PGA Tour as walls close in on LIV Golf
Joshua MbuSun, July 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC
0
Donald Trump has already urged the PGA Tour to welcome back LIV Golf stars (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has already urged the PGA Tour to welcome back LIV Golf stars amid the breakaway tour's fight for survival.
LIV Golf's future has been cast into doubt after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial backing, ending the investment that launched the breakaway league in 2022. Billions were spent attracting many of golf's biggest stars, but LIV Golf must now find new investors to survive beyond the 2026 season.
The league, which reshaped the professional game and sparked a fierce rivalry with the PGA Tour, now faces an uncertain future. Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the first marquee name to leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour, while 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed also ended his stint with the breakaway circuit and is working his way back through the eligibility process.
Charlie Woods dealt fresh reality check in latest golf career setback
Denny Hamlin slams 'incredible' NASCAR decision to scrap championship
Their departures have fueled speculation that more LIV stars could follow if the league's uncertain financial future continues to unravel. The likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau - the latter was hit with a two-stroke penalty and a six-figure fine at The Open - remain at LIV Golf, for now.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour have now struck a fresh blow to LIV Golf's survival chances after signing a partnership agreement with the Asian Tour, which had been a crucial partner of LIV. The Asian Tour had been a pivotal partner to LIV since the breakaway league launched in 2022, providing a second-tier circuit and giving LIV members banned from other tours amid the golf civil war.
The Asian circuit was also set to play a big role in LIV's future. LIV is scrambling for new investors after Saudi Arabia withdrew financial support, and its bosses hoped to forge closer ties with the Asian Tour. LIV Golf had pitched prospective investors on a vision of a global schedule built around a core series of marquee events, with additional tournaments staged through the Asian Tour and its International Series.
Advertisement
LIV Golf is fighting for its survival (Image: Getty)
The latest development makes LIV Golf's future even bleaker, but for its top stars, U.S. President Trump has urged a clear path back to the PGA Tour. "Well, I do," Trump said earlier this year in the Oval Office, when asked whether he believed the PGA Tour should reopen its doors to LIV Golf stars.
"I'd love to see LIV. But I do believe that all of the golfers should be playing - the great golfers - should be playing against each other. I want to see Rory [McIlroy] playing Bryson DeChambeau. I want to see big Jon Rahm play Scottie [Scheffler], who is so great."
"There's something nice about all of the players playing together. Now they'll all be accepted by the tour ... they'll all be back on tour and it'll be great," Trump added.
Trump's LIV Golf ties
Trump continued to do business with LIV Golf in 2026. In 2026, two Trump-owned courses are scheduled to host LIV Golf events.
Trump National Golf Club, Washington, D.C., hosted LIV Golf Virginia in May, while Trump National Golf Club Bedminster is set to welcome LIV Golf New York in August.
Trump National Doral in Miami was a regular LIV Golf venue in previous seasons. However, it didn't return to LIV's calendar in 2026; instead, it hosted the PGA Tour's Cadillac Championship.
Source: “AOL Money”
