Just two weeks after the uncertain future of LIV Golf dominated the news cycle, one of LIV’s upcoming events may not go on as planned.
WDSU reported Monday that LIV Golf’s tournament at Bayou Oaks at City Park scheduled for June 25-28 in New Orleans will likely not take place. Sources told the news station the state of Louisiana plans to postpone the event until LIV can restructure financially and find additional sources of funding.
Sources with knowledge of LIV Golf operations said the league has been working with the Governor’s office and Louisiana Economic Development to consider new timing opportunities in September or October, although financial issues were not mentioned. The source said the event has been postponed to avoid peak summer heat in Louisiana, ensure the course is in championship-caliber condition and avoid any attendance conflicts with the World Cup; it’s unclear why those factors weren’t considered when the event was originally scheduled.
Earlier this morning, the date next to the Louisiana event was removed on LIV’s website.
A statement is expected to be issued on Tuesday.
The latest LIV Golf development comes just two weeks after several outlets reported LIV’s financial backer, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), was on the verge of pulling its funding. This stemmed from a PIF announcement made the same day outlining a strategic shift for the next five years.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil addressed the reports in an email to staff, saying, in part: “Our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” Although in a TV interview during that week’s tournament in Mexico, O’Neil said, “The reality is you’re funded through the season, and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going.” The clip was later deleted.
According to The Athletic, Susan Bourgeois, the secretary of Louisiana economic development, contacted O’Neil shortly after the news broke two weeks ago and spoke again last week, agreeing to postpone the New Orleans tournament.
LIV Golf’s next event is scheduled for May 7-10 at Trump National in Washington, D.C. Its season-ending Team Championship is scheduled for Aug. 27-30 in Michigan.
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