BC Partners Drops LIV Golf, Leaving Circuit With $7 Billion Debt and No Backer

BC Partners has abandoned its financial rescue of LIV Golf, removing the circuit’s last realistic path to survival. The private capital firm had committed more than $300 million to keep the league operating but withdrew its support after concluding the project lacked sufficient scale.

The decision follows the departure of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which had previously injected approximately $7 billion into the venture. That funding covered five seasons of competition and nine-figure player contracts. With the PIF’s exit in spring 2026, BC Partners stepped in as a potential savior in August, but the deal has now collapsed.

BC Partners reported that only about 15 players expressed interest in the proposed LIV Golf 2.0 concept. The firm anticipated at least twice that number and determined the roster lacked the star power needed for viability. The league had promised in September to find a new backer, a goal it could not achieve.

Key players have already left the circuit during the financial turmoil. Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Sergio Garcia have departed, while Brooks Koepka accepted penalties to return to the PGA Tour ahead of the 2026 season. Bryson DeChambeau indicated he intends to stay with the new iteration, but the contract status of Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, and Joaquin Niemann remains unclear.

Operational issues have plagued the league since funding dried up. Two tournaments were cancelled, and vendors and players reported unpaid bills. The league is now in a position to liquidate its assets and shut down entirely if no new financing emerges.

Representatives for Rahm and other creditors are scheduled for a hearing in New Jersey on Thursday. They aim to finalize agreements before the league potentially enters liquidation. The PGA Tour has been hesitant to create new entry routes for former LIV players, though some may regain playing privileges through traditional qualifying procedures.