LIV Golf\u2019s June stop in New Orleans will not be happening.<\/p>\n
The story was originally broken by Louisiana TV station WDSU<\/a>, which reported the inaugural LIV Golf Louisiana event \u2013 which was due to be played over the South course at Bayou Oaks in New Orleans City Park from June 25-28 \u2013 had been cancelled. <\/p>\n That was later updated to say postponed, with LIV apparently keen to avoid a clash with the soccer World Cup \u2013 which takes place across the US, Canada and Mexico this summer \u2013 as it could impact \u200cattendances and viewership. There are also concerns about the high temperatures in Louisiana at that time of year.<\/p>\n The first statement came from Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development secretary Susan Bourgeois, which opened with a message that may be construed as a sly dig at LIV Golf.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, we want to thank Zurich and PGA Tour leadership for another outstanding tournament<\/a> this past weekend.\u201d <\/p>\n The statement continued: \u201cSecretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O\u2019Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall.<\/p>\n \u201cThe state has already paid $3.2m in accordance with the contract. LIV is expected to return all state incentive funds, with the exception of the $2m already invested in upgrades for City Park, ensuring those improvements remain in place for the community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe appreciate LIV\u2019s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year.\u201d<\/p>\n LIV Golf later released a statement of its own, describing it as \u201cstrategic decision\u201d and that the league would look to move it to a \u201cnew window later this fall\u201d.<\/p>\n It added: \u201cThis shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.<\/p>\n \u201cOur team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future.\u201d<\/p>\n It comes at a testing time for LIV as the league\u2019s financial backer, Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund, considers pulling out<\/a> of its main golf project, with CEO Scott O\u2019Neil later confirming<\/a> that funding would end following the 2026 campaign. <\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that you\u2019re 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,\u201d he told TNT in an interview that was soon deleted. <\/p>\n