Club de Golf Chapultepec was not up toBryson DeChambeau'sstandards.

The two-time U.S. Open winner headed toLIV Golf'sMexico City event amid questions about their funding beyond this season, and he was not thrilled about the conditions of the course in one area.

After blading a bunker shot on the 16th, DeChambeau found himself in a patchy spot where the grass was not exactly fully grown anywhere.

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\"You got destroyed grass,\" DeChambeau said. \"Oh this is rough? Definitely. Good to see.\"

DeChambeau then waited on a rules official, apparently because of his lie, but he was not exactly given the benefit of the doubt. He then chipped onto the green.

DeChambeau was not thrilled with the course last year, citing\"the worst f---ing bunkers ever.\"

He wound up shooting an even second round for the second day in a row.

The frustration comes on the heels of missing the cut atThe Mastersjust a year after being in the final group with eventual champion Rory McIlroy. DeChambeau was the second odds-on favorite to win behind Scottie Scheffler.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU DRILLS PATRON WITH TEE SHOT, CAN'T ESCAPE BUNKER IN ROUGH FIRST ROUND OF THE MASTERS

LIV Golf made its stop in Mexico City amid initial reports, anda confirmation from CEO Scott O'Neil, that Saudi Arabia is ending its funding after this season.

\"And then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going. But that's not different from any other private equity-funded business in the history of man,\" O'Neil said on Thursday.

\"How we go forward is what I'm really excited about. I talked about some structural changes — they're coming. You can ask just about the 50 people I met at Augusta, I rolled out the plan. We have one, it might surprise some people...\" he added.

\"This notion of, 'Do you have to raise money?' Probably. This is business. But if we keep the trajectory going the way we are and the revenue growth going, this is going to be a really good business for a really long time.\"

Jon Rahm is the leader in the clubhouse at 10 under, and his Legion XIII squad is running away with the tournament, up 19 strokes from the next closest team.

Follow Fox News Digital’ssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

",{"_307":251,"_308":340,"_310":341},"51d36e7b-b4d9-4cbe-90cc-ba8f9706720e",{"_27":340,"_40":342,"_253":343,"_42":344,"_278":345,"_316":-5,"_29":285,"_317":346,"_319":347,"_271":348,"_80":-5,"_82":117,"_232":349,"_307":251,"_337":362},"LIV golf stars face career limbo with Saudi investment expected to end in 2026","LIV Golf faces potential collapse after 2026 as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is expected to withdraw its financial support, leaving players in an uncertain career future. While some stars may find a path back to the PGA Tour, others who joined LIV for lucrative deals are less likely to have options. The PIF is reportedly seeking to exit contracts, citing the Middle East crisis and a general shift in Saudi sporting project focus, despite LIV's attempts to assure staff of its short-term continuity.","LIV chief’s rallying email to staff did not refer to 2027","https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/70ce79302694b9a56d7083ef2865f9125ec9e8ea/333_0_3333_2667/master/3333.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=896544ed9b4c2573bedbba63fb50bff8","2026-04-16T16:53:09","https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/16/liv-golf-doubts-future-saudi-pif-funding","sports",{"_27":350,"_235":351,"_134":324,"_80":352,"_265":359,"_266":360,"_268":361},"5fe808a5c230680b3129a0c42fe9c30c0f105308bc930bbfcb31784581191237","e404079651a91c91fc9922f09d90bc36a1c8b2ed6b80dadfb7d5272892b34a2e4c6898fc275b7b4f413a1748fcd447b2b143d863ab5b22f9e525690671e85838",[353,354,355,357,358],[271,342],[44,345],[329,356,39,331],"30023:c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da:51d36e7b-b4d9-4cbe-90cc-ba8f9706720e",[262,263],[137,359,39],"c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da","LIV golf stars face career limbo with Saudi investment expected to end in 2026\nLIV chief’s rallying email to staff did not refer to 2027\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3cvxjt27s74qhy9ctz5k3ujgqd3vg96pdme8nywdq6g6le2yzw6qqjr2vtyxvmx2dmz943rgepe956xxcn995unqcmr943xzwrx8ymnqd3hxgcx24chft5 ",1776375510,"Several of golf’s leading names are facing career limbo at the end of 2026 amid expectation Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will withdraw backing for the LIV Golf Tour.\nWhile the likelihood is Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm will be afforded a pathway back to the PGA Tour, the future for others who made lucrative switches to LIV is far more uncertain.\nLIV’s executives, who were in bullish form over the circuit’s future at last week’s Masters, subsequently attended a summit with the PIF in New York. There the financial impact of the Middle East crisis is believed to have been cited for a sudden and dramatic change in the fund’s approach.\nInsiders believe the PIF will seek to apply force majeure as a means to extricate itself from contracts beyond the end of this year. Saudi Arabia appears more generally to be shifting focus on sporting projects in the coming years. Without access to alternative funding, LIV’s outlook is bleak given each event alone carries a prize fund of $30m.\nA report on Tuesday evening stated that LIV was poised to make a seismic announcement on its future. While that proved untrue, concern and uncertainty rippled through those at the breakaway tour’s stop in Mexico City this week. After an initial message to staff, which he admitted caused “confusion”, LIV’s chief executive, Scott O’Neil, followed up with a lengthy bulletin relating only to the short-term. “I want to be crystal clear; our season continues exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle,” it read. “While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organisation that is bigger, louder and more influential than ever before.\n“The life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure. We signed up for this because we believe in disrupting the status quo. We have faced headwinds since the jump, and we’ve answered every time with resilience and grace. Now, we answer by doing what we do best: putting on the most compelling show in sports.”\nO’Neil’s sentiment, which he repeated in a meeting with LIV team captains on Wednesday evening, did little to douse the noise, not least because it made no commitments into 2027. Since being founded in 2021, LIV is understood to have burned through more than $5bn of PIF money.\nIronically, under O’Neil LIV has made strides towards being more commercially viable. Sponsors such as Rolex and HSBC have been attracted while plans were afoot to sell team franchises for significant fees. LIV’s strategy was to focus on markets outside the US, targeting national open tournaments for future growth.\nThe PGA Tour smoothed a path for Brooks Koepka to return to that domain from LIV earlier this year. Patrick Reed will soon complete a similar journey. While any terms for DeChambeau and Rahm may well be strict – the duo’s negotiating stance is not strong with LIV in peril – both hold strong appeal to the PGA Tour given their standing in the sport. The scenario for others is far less obvious. Some, such as Phil Mickelson, essentially entered into open warfare with the PGA Tour when joining LIV.\nOther players lack the pull for the PGA Tour to bring them back, potentially at the cost to others in its membership. The winners here could be the DP World, formerly European, Tour which has always looked far more willing to re-engage with LIV players. The former European Tour also had an alliance with Saudi Arabia before LIV’s creation. A complicating factor is the agreement between the DP World and PGA Tours, which is in the process of being renegotiated. The level to which the PGA Tour regards LIV as a threat or otherwise is central to how necessary it views a European tie-in. The PGA Tour is in the midst of reshaping its schedule but will also be mindful LIV’s creation distorted purses throughout golf. Nothing in this sport plays out in isolation.\nExecutives on the Ladies European Tour will be closely following the Saudi pivot. The PIF Saudi Ladies International is a $5m tournament on the LET schedule. The PIF London Championship takes place at the Centurion Club in early August. Aramco, the Saudi oil company, also backs a co-sanctioned event in the US plus a LET stops in Korea and China. Women’s golf in Europe could therefore be badly exposed if the kingdom opts to divert attention away from the sport entirely.",{"_307":251,"_308":274,"_310":364},{"_27":274,"_40":365,"_253":366,"_42":367,"_278":248,"_316":248,"_29":285,"_317":368,"_319":369,"_271":39,"_80":-5,"_82":118,"_232":370,"_307":251,"_337":382},"LIV Golf CEO Confirms Saudi Funding Will End But Says He Has a Plan That 'Might Surprise Some People'","LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will stop funding the league after this season. Despite this, O'Neil stated he has a business plan that he believes will ensure the league's long-term success and continued growth. He acknowledged the need for potential fundraising but expressed confidence in LIV Golf's trajectory and revenue growth.","LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil confirmed Saudi funding will end after this season but says he has a business plan that might surprise some people going forward.","2026-04-17T15:03:56","https://www.foxnews.com/sports/liv-golf-ceo-confirms-saudi-funding-end-says-plan-might-surprise-people",{"_27":371,"_235":372,"_134":324,"_80":373,"_265":334,"_266":380,"_268":381},"2565c85f6246ad75b32929427fe55a6a3b1c354b2d0ed55e3a13aafe2675b120","2643dd9dda8f83aa9367792230e84a3247841c82839722fa40cd0a94790052e41168d10bfbc11b45f418043ef4d220020e63cbcbbc0e33197e2b7962fff2b2d7",[374,375,376,378,379],[271,365],[44,248],[329,377,39,331],"30023:d9ce26dad2db27b53683a9e9b339de47f4fb926ca550b089e5192b46334fbaaf:8083f6d7-116f-4cb4-af66-eda11dd7ddd7",[262,263],[137,334,39],"LIV Golf CEO Confirms Saudi Funding Will End But Says He Has a Plan That 'Might Surprise Some People'\nLIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil confirmed Saudi funding will end after this season but says he has a business plan that might surprise some people going forward.\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzpkwwymdd9ke8k5mg820fkvuau3l5lwfxef2skzy72xftgce5lw40qqjrsvpcxdnrveph95cnzdnx956xxc3594skvd3k94jkgcf3x9jxgdmyv3jrwffk8fh ",1776438236,"

LIV GolfCEO Scott O'Neil confirmed reports that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will stop giving money to the golf league after this season.

However, O'Neil told TNT Sports that he has a \"plan\" that \"might surprise some people.\"

\"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. But that's not different from any other private equity-funded business in the history of man,\" O'Neil said ahead of thegolftour's next event in Mexico City on Thursday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Despite the uncertainty, O'Neil is taking the challenge head on.

\"How we go forward is what I'm really excited about. I talked about some structural changes - they're coming. You can ask just about the 50 people I met at Augusta, I rolled out the plan. We have one, it might surprise some people...\" he said.

Sources told Fox News that the Saudis willstop funding LIVafter the 2026 season. The Financial Times was the first to report the news.

O'Neil wrote amemo to LIV employeesobtained by Fox News Digital that confirmed that the season was going to go \"exactly as planned, uninterrupted, and full throttle.\"

GOLF ANALYST BRANDEL CHAMBLEE RIPS LIV GOLF AS REPORTS FUEL SPECULATION ABOUT ITS FUTURE: 'LAME-BRAINED TOUR'

\"While the media landscape is often filled with speculation, our reality is defined by the work we do on the grass. We are heading into the heart of our 2026 schedule with the full energy of an organization that is bigger, louder, and more influential than ever before,\" O'Neil wrote.

\"The life of a startup movement is often defined by these moments of pressure. We signed up for this because we believe in disrupting the status quo. We have faced headwinds since the jump, and we’ve answered every time with resilience and grace. Now, we answer by doing what we do best: putting on the most compelling show in sports.\"

\"The noise you hear is simply the sound of a movement that is working. Embrace it. We are pioneers, and while the road isn’t always smooth, the destination is worth every mile,\" he said. \"Let’s go out and show the world why LIV Golf is the future of the game. It matters. You mattered. Now, let’s go win.

\"Long LIV Golf.\"

LIV began in 2022 and has produced two major winners in Brooks Koepka, who has since rejoined the PGA Tour, at the2023 PGA Championship,and DeChambeau at the 2024 U.S. Open.

LIV Golf shifted from its 54-hole format, a draw for golfers defecting from the PGA Tour, to 72 beginning this season. Patrick Reed is alsoset to rejoin the PGA Tour.

Follow Fox News Digital’ssports coverage on X, and subscribe tothe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

",{"_307":251,"_308":384,"_310":385},"845edeba-f759-4882-bb9a-c456ce295c56",{"_27":384,"_40":386,"_253":387,"_42":388,"_278":389,"_316":-5,"_29":285,"_317":390,"_319":391,"_271":348,"_80":-5,"_82":117,"_232":392,"_307":251,"_337":404},"LIV Golf 'business as usual' but chief admits rebel tour may need to raise money","Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf's CEO, acknowledged that the league's finances are managed \"very tightly\" and that structural changes are planned, potentially requiring fundraising. He firmly stated that the league would not collapse, dismissing recent reports as \"nonsense\" and \"clickbait.\"\nO’Neil expressed excitement about the future, hinting at a plan that might surprise people and reiterated the league's global appeal and sponsorship successes. He also suggested a blending of LIV's format with national opens worldwide.","Scott O’Neil rejects claims LIV is close to collapse","https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0102ee1717f8485fc20bdeb30124c08c130ac1ac/2_0_4645_3716/master/4645.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=cb6a65cfd1b1f86883aa812a0b96991e","2026-04-17T10:26:51","https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/17/liv-golf-business-as-usual-chief-scott-oneil-admits-rebel-tour-may-need-raise-money",{"_27":393,"_235":394,"_134":324,"_80":395,"_265":359,"_266":402,"_268":403},"62122138d7080e1880a863acc7ce1e751517581a68a35f3728fd5c5e69720d72","d12fd63691c9bcbb68bd6434a249d51782b8457b70277603752e7c0fef5326eb6193d8b9309d2e92f08d159eba1b1925ae8f9543bcb15ecf817a9fcb884c439b",[396,397,398,400,401],[271,386],[44,389],[329,399,39,331],"30023:c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da:845edeba-f759-4882-bb9a-c456ce295c56",[262,263],[137,359,39],"LIV Golf 'business as usual' but chief admits rebel tour may need to raise money\nScott O’Neil rejects claims LIV is close to collapse\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3cvxjt27s74qhy9ctz5k3ujgqd3vg96pdme8nywdq6g6le2yzw6qqjrsdp4v4jx2cnp94nrwdfe956rswpj943xywtp943ngdfkvdjnywf4vv6nv90hkm0 ",1776461931,"The LIV Golf chief executive, Scott O’Neil, has admitted the nascent golf league’s finances are “managed very tightly” and said structural changes are on the way that would probably mean they needed to raise money, but he remained adamant the league would not fold.\nHe was interviewed by LIV employees during the TV broadcast of the first round of the rebel tour’s Mexico City leg, a day after reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was to cut its funding for the league it helped launch in 2022.\nO’Neil, who has been in the position for 16 months after succeeding Greg Norman, did not address Saudi Arabia or its funding in the interview.\n“For us, we’re business as usual,” O’Neil said. “If you want to ask me if this business is tough, I would say absolutely. If you asked me if we’re managed very tightly, I would say absolutely. Can this be challenging? Absolutely, and that’s what we signed up for, not just me, you, everyone here that’s with us down in Mexico City. We signed up for this adventure, and it is the ride of a lifetime, or should I say: round of a lifetime.“\nO’Neil and LIV broadcasters poked fun at the report and the speculation that ensued. At the top of the broadcast, the former player David Feherty called the reports “absolute nonsense” while Arlo White said: “It must be exhausting trying to will the LIV Golf league out of existence.”\nIn the interview, O’Neil seemed to confirm that LIV executives met in New York this week while playing down the idea that they were “summoned”. “I live in New York so it was easy to summon myself there, but it was a lot of reaching and grabbing for headlines and clickbait and stories,” O’Neil said.\nO’Neil hinted more than once at structural changes coming to LIV Golf, though it is unclear if that pertained to format, business structure or something else. LIV has already shed its 54-hole tournament format, moving to a traditional 72 holes in order to receive limited Official World Golf Ranking points. The LIV name was derived from the 54-hole format, as LIV is 54 in Roman numerals.\n“How we go forward is what I’m really excited about,” O’Neil said. “I talked about some structural changes. They’re coming. You can ask just about the 50 people I met in Augusta [at the Masters]. I rolled out the plan. We have one, and it is going to … it might surprise some people. But I will tell you, this notion of bringing teams to market, I had two calls this morning. This notion of: ‘Do you have to raise money?’ Probably. This is business.\n“But if we keep the trajectory going the way we are and the revenue growth going, this is going to be a really good business for a really long time.”\nO’Neil repeatedly touted LIV Golf’s global appeal. While it has struggled to gain footing or attract TV ratings in the US, some of LIV’s most popular events have been in Australia and Asia, markets traditionally underserved by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.\n“From a business standpoint, we did almost a half a billion dollars in sponsorship last year with big brands like Rolex and HSBC, Aramco. These are global brands. I’m thinking we’re in a wonderful position,” O’Neil said. “From a structural standpoint, this business will continue to evolve as it has over the last 12 months. The good news for us is we know how to put on a show. We know how to grow the game.\n“Will there be a change in how we operate? Of course. I would have told you that last year and six months ago. We are looking to blend a version of LIV and the national opens, the great national opens around the world.”",{"_307":251,"_308":406,"_310":407},"ef9811ca-8388-4bf5-8883-44e412e1fada",{"_27":406,"_40":408,"_253":409,"_42":410,"_278":411,"_316":-5,"_29":285,"_317":412,"_319":413,"_271":348,"_80":-5,"_82":117,"_232":414,"_307":251,"_337":425},"LIV and let die: golf rebels count cost of Saudi cutbacks and other sports fear worst","Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) has withdrawn financial support from LIV Golf, causing significant disruption and fear among staff and other sports administrators. This move signals a shift in Saudi Arabia's sports investment strategy, moving away from ambitious global ventures towards projects with potential financial returns and domestic benefits, as outlined in PIF's 2026-2030 financial strategy.","Public Investment Fund withdraws support for rebel tour and other sports could be hit too with Newcastle United uncertain","https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fbc30e4d1b3a2f4d245dc96bd061f4704ea4c293/327_0_3265_2612/master/3265.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&precrop=40:21,offset-x50,offset-y0&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=d7af80a6389302eea7c0c26dbe3b89db","2026-04-16T17:53:39","https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/16/liv-and-let-die-golf-rebels-count-cost-saudi-cutbacks",{"_27":415,"_235":416,"_134":324,"_80":417,"_265":359,"_266":424,"_268":361},"d95cdc088b880399c9a0b2061650f6a143583e04e5e8a980377d5a425d0a7451","a1b085a1bfc768bc8f9ac7b00cd7c20540e8dbf3802815322cfa4d5a0eb72bffc2a0b7adbe26ba421cd0894487e80176f3ab4a41b10acea7f17d9a5331a815a9",[418,419,420,422,423],[271,408],[44,411],[329,421,39,331],"30023:c70c3496af43d505c85c2c54b4792401b1620ba0b7793cc8e68348d7f2a209da:ef9811ca-8388-4bf5-8883-44e412e1fada",[262,263],[137,359,39],"LIV and let die: golf rebels count cost of Saudi cutbacks and other sports fear worst\nPublic Investment Fund withdraws support for rebel tour and other sports could be hit too with Newcastle United uncertain\n\n\nnostr:naddr1qvzqqqr4gupzp3cvxjt27s74qhy9ctz5k3ujgqd3vg96pdme8nywdq6g6le2yzw6qqjx2e3e8qcnzcmp95urxwpc956xye3495urswpn956rgef5xyex2vtxv9jxz9x4kqw ","The reverberations of an unscheduled meeting of LIV Golf executives in New York this week have been felt way beyond their swanky offices in Hudson Yards, on the west side of Manhattan.\nA slowdown in Saudi Arabia’s lavish spending on sport, which is conservatively estimated to have cost the kingdom more than $10bn in the past five years, had been expected, but its Public Investment Fund’s withdrawal of financial support for the rebel tour – which was first mooted to LIV execs on Monday – has caused shockwaves throughout the wider industry.\nSignificantly, the possibility of PIF’s withdrawal was not even addressed in an email sent by the LIV chief executive, Scott O’Neil, to his staff on Wednesday evening, which has left many of them more fearful for their jobs. Such concerns are not limited to golf, with other sports administrators fearful that similar cuts in Saudi’s budget could be coming their way.\nWhile LIV was the primary vehicle through which Saudi launched their ambitious attempt to become a leading global sports destination and promoter five years ago, with more than $5bn invested on the rebel tour, the arch disruptors were by no means the sole beneficiaries.\nLarge elements of the football, boxing, motorsport, tennis, Esports and mixed martial arts financial ecosystems have become reliant on PIF funding, with a further $5bn spent on player transfer fees, infrastructure, TV rights and hosting fees in these sports. “We all went running to Saudi for a quick payday and are now wondering what the future holds,” a sports executive outside golf told the Guardian.\nAlthough widely criticised as sportswashing, Saudi always insisted that its investment in sport was part of the country’s wider Vision 2030, a strategic plan to diversify its economy from oil to other industries including leisure and tourism for domestic benefit.\nA source who has worked with both the Saudi Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Pro League says the mooted LIV cull should be seen in this context, with PIF now focused on investments with the potential to deliver a financial return and bring long-term economic and public health benefits.\n“The investment strategy now is far more about domestic benefits and building real businesses,” they said. “LIV stands out as being from a different era, so it’s no surprise it is vulnerable.”\nIt is no coincidence that reports of LIV’s demise emerged on the same day that PIF published its financial strategy for 2026-2030, which emphasised the importance of “value realisation through performance, innovation and private sector engagement”. While sport was not listed as one of PIF’s six investment pillars, sources disclosed that it will be included as part of the tourism, travel and entertainment portfolio.\nAnother source with a government contract said the change in policy is best seen as an attempt to privatise Saudi’s sports industry, which explains LIV’s vulnerability. While individual teams could be auctioned off it would be a hard sell; O’Neil conceded earlier this year that even after reducing the prize fund this season it could be another 10 years before the tour is profitable.\nIn contrast PIF on Thursday confirmed the sale of a 70% stake in one of its Saudi Pro League clubs, Al-Hilal, to a private company owned by Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, demonstrating why football is seen as a better long-term play.\nWhile PIF still owns majority stakes in three SPL clubs – Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr – they will also be sold off in the coming years. Cristiano Ronaldo already owns a small stake in Al-Nassr and the club are hopeful the Portuguese superstar could increase his investment after he eventually retires.\nThere will also be attempts to secure more private investment in the 11 new stadiums that are being built for the 2034 World Cup. While some budgets have been cut and build times increased, as reported by the Guardian in December, the majority of PIF’s World Cup funding has been ringfenced.\nFifa may soon have some concerns about Saudi Arabia’s drive for sustainability, however, as spending in other areas will continue to be cut.\nWhile the PIF subsidiary, Surj Sports Investments, is understood to have delivered its $1bn in Dazn that in effect paid for the streaming company’s purchase of Club World Cup TV rights from Fifa last year, one source with knowledge of the deal described it as a one-off transaction that would not be repeated.\nGiven Dazn has recorded combined losses of more than $2.5bn in 2023 and 2024 it is hard to see SURJ making a profit on its investment any time soon, which could leave Fifa facing a challenging market when it seeks to sell the next batch of Club World Cup rights before the 2029 tournament.\nPIF’s push for privatisation also raises questions for Newcastle United. The club has benefited from around £500m of investment since PIF paid £305m for it four years ago. Newcastle sources said on Thursday that they have received assurances that the club is a key part of PIF’s strategic portfolio but what that means in practice remains to be seen.\nWhile PIF’s ability to spend on Newcastle is severely limited by the Premier League and Uefa’s financial rules, it seems significant that its decision on building a new £1bn stadium continues to be delayed.\nBeyond football, sources in Saudi have highlighted Esports as another key investment area that will be protected because of its popularity among the country’s youthful population, 69% of whom are under the age of 35. The Esports World Cup has been held in Riyadh since 2024 and is due to return to the capital in August, with the prize fund having increased to $75m.\nSaudi will also continue to invest heavily in boxing and MMA due to the influence of Turki Alalshikh, a close adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and chair of the General Entertainment Authority.\nUnder Alalshikh’s guidance the GEA has launched a joint venture with The UFC president Dana White’s TKO Group to set up a new boxing league, with the first bouts likely in Saudi this year.\nWhile PIF will continue to look at selling off assets, sports that are not delivering will be discontinued. A three-year deal to stage the finals of the WTA Tour in Riyadh that concludes in November will not be renewed, while the scheduled 2029 Asian Winter Games has already been cancelled.\nPIF also remains committed to investing in motorsport, with a new purpose-built Formula One circuit near Riyadh due to open next year, although this year’s Grand Prix in Jeddah was cancelled because of the conflict in Iran, along with the race in Bahrain. It is unclear whether either will be rescheduled.\nSaudi sources have attempted to blame the planned LIV withdrawal on uncertainty caused by the war, although there are suspicions that this may be a strategic play for insurance reasons, if players do not receive what they are entitled to under their contracts.\nParadoxically, the LIV news has emerged at a time when elite sport is due to return to Saudi after a month-long shutdown caused by the war, with the Asian Champions League quarter-finals taking place in Jeddah this weekend.\nThe Saudi Pro League has continued throughout, however, just the latest example of the truism that there is one rule for football and another for the other sports that trail in its wake.",[],"selectedArticleImage","rootArticleImageUrl","consensusHtml","tweets",[],"userSchema","relatedArticles",[311,385,364,407,341],"actionData","errors"]

LIV Golf CEO Confirms End of Saudi Funding

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