\ufeffFOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, is streaming The 2026 PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Mystery has surrounded the identity of the investor, however, with O\u2019Neil stopping short of saying who it is.<\/p>\n Bloomberg reported that London-based private equity firm BC Partners is considering a loan to LIV, whose previous financial backer, Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, has removed its funding.<\/p>\n As a result of the intrigue, Rolapp was asked whether any deal had been struck between the two rivals – who announced a merger in 2023 that never eventuated despite White House meetings between the two parties and US president Donald Trump early last year.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no merger, no conversations, we\u2019ve been really concentrated on the PGA Tour,\u201d Rolapp told Bloomberg<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brian Rolapp, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA TOUR, speaks to the media prior to the TOUR Championship 2025 at East Lake Golf Club on August 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n Rolapp went on to discuss the PGA Tour\u2019s new model – which will come into effect in 2028 – with two tiers featuring promotion and relegation.<\/p>\n The Championship Series will boast the tour\u2019s top players with greater prize purses, while the Challenger Series will feature young upstarts and fallen professionals trying to climb their way back to the top.<\/p>\n A lack of \u201cmeritocracy\u201d has been one of the most common criticisms of LIV with Rolapp referencing 17-year-old Miles Russell, who made his major debut at this year\u2019s US Open with a tied 39th finish, as an example of someone who will have to climb the rankings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been mainly focused on where we\u2019re going and improving our product. We\u2019ve opened up the meritocracy of golf,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf (Russell)\u2019s that good, we\u2019ve worked out a system where he will work his way up.\u201d<\/p>\n Rolapp\u2019s comments came as Bryson DeChambeau shared his desire to return to the PGA Tour in the near future.<\/p>\n DeChambeau, who joined LIV when it emerged in 2022 and whose contract expires at year\u2019s end, has struggled across the opening two rounds in New York, shooting eight-over par through 36 holes to sit 21 shots behind leader Joaquin Niemann.<\/p>\n The two-time US Open champion showed his frustration during the first round by aggressively throwing a water bottle, and he was not the only LIV golfer to talk about a potential comeback to the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s Cameron Smith said everyone would \u201c100 per cent\u201d<\/a> want to go back if LIV falls over and the PGA Tour is \u201cthe only option\u201d.<\/p>\n DeChambeau\u2019s comments, however, were wishing for a best of both worlds situation. <\/p>\n \u201cPersonally, I\u2019d love to be able to play events on the PGA Tour, too. I think that\u2019s best for golf. I\u2019d love that. It\u2019s not an either\/or mentality. It\u2019s \u2018can we do both?\u2019 I think that\u2019s where everybody wants to be,\u201d DeChambeau told the New York Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThere isn\u2019t a golf fan on the planet who doesn\u2019t want to see me play a big Tour event, and I get that. I\u2019d love to go play events that make sense, love to play team golf, and love to play wherever they\u2019ll let me.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n As for LIV\u2019s future, he added: \u201cMy ultimate goal is to have golf course stadiums, similar to the PGA Tour\u2019s TPC Sawgrass model, with our teams having their own golf course as a stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \ufeff$500m elephant in the room over shock LIV update… as mysterious lifeline emerges<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018100 per cent\u2019: Smith swings door open to PGA return as explosive $355m LIV rumour emerges<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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