Kaymer Speaks Out on LIV's Bleak Future: 'It's Highly Unlikely' We'll Be Back in 2027
LIV Golf is staring into the abyss, and its players are losing hope. Martin Kaymer, captain of the Cleeks team, has thrown cold water on the circuit's chances of survival beyond 2026, stating it's 'highly unlikely' they'll be back for another season.
The writing has been on the wall since Saudi Arabian financial backing was withdrawn at the end of this season. The Kingdom had ploughed in over £3.75 billion to prop up LIV Golf over its initial three years, but now it's Scott O'Neil's job to conjure up $350 million (£262 million) in new investment to keep the ship afloat.
Kaymer reckons that while this weekend's Indianapolis event will probably go ahead, the team championship scheduled for Michigan is looking increasingly shaky. Players had hoped for some clarity on next year's plans at their recent meeting, but O'Neil couldn't give them any reassurance – it all depends on securing new investors.
LIV Golf's situation has just got worse with the news that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have joined forces with the Asian Tour. This development is a massive blow to LIV, which had previously partnered with the Asian Tour and seen its stops as key to O'Neil's plans for a new-look schedule featuring national opens worldwide.
With investors refusing to commit, many players are now facing an uncertain future beyond this season. Kaymer, who memorably holed the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup, remains hopeful but admits LIV Golf is living on borrowed time: 'If the signature is not there, then it doesn't mean anything.'
The financial landscape of professional golf continues to shift at breakneck speed, and the outcome of LIV's search for new investment will have far-reaching implications for the sport globally. And if you thought things couldn't get any more complicated, LIV has reportedly agreed to cough up $1 million (£748,000) to settle a trademark infringement lawsuit with Stinger Golf.