LIV Golf’s hopes of making it to 2027 have been kept alive. For now…

Fifteen players have expressed an interest in committing to LIV Golf 2.0, according to a report from the Financial Times.

While the players are unnamed, that number is enough to help the league seek a final deal over the next few days. BC Partners, the private equity firm that has pledged a $300 million bailout for LIV Golf, had put an October 25 deadline on proceedings.

BC have made clear LIV need to have “at least 30 to 40 players” committed in order to continue into a sixth season. The deadline is likely to be extended to October 30 to align with the deadline of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund which, according to the league’s bankruptcy documents, is the date it will start winding down the league as its sole lender.

The PIF has so far shelled out north of $5 billion on LIV since its inauguration in 2022.

TG has been in regular contact with a senior executive at LIV Golf, who has told us there is “continued optimism here” at the league’s headquarters, and that everything regarding 2.0 remains “on schedule”.

When asked about the Financial Times report, the official described it as containing “several inaccuracies and mischaracterizations”, but added that they “will not be sharing the additional details at this time”.

They did, however, note that the number of players who have committed to LIV Golf, or remain engaged in serious, constructive discussions “is dynamic and continues to evolve”.

Sujeet Indap, who has been covering the story for the Financial Times, says interested players have been “asking BC to explain their power and governance rights in LIV 2.0” – with particular focus on how the league will generate income as well as any particular risks for the golfers.

The report also notes that 23 players are still locked in legal talks with LIV and the PIF over money still owed. Jon Rahm, who signed for a reported $450m at the start of the 2023 season, won more money than any other player in LIV’s five years to date, but was forced to leave a large amount on the table in order to break free from his contract.

Rahm’s fellow team captains, Louis Oosthuizen and Ian Poulter, have also declared themselves out of LIV, as have the Spaniard’s Legion XIII colleagues Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin as players continue to either quit or signal their intentions to quit.

So far, only five players – Richard Bland, Cameron Tringale, Brendan Steele, Victor Perez and Ben Campbell – have publicly stated that they would like to remain a part of LIV 2.0, though it is unknown how many of them are part of the 15 reported by the Financial Times. The biggest name yet to commit either way is Bryson DeChambeau, who continues to leave question marks over his future.

Meanwhile, Dustin Johnson is leading a group of players, while also includes Bubba Watson, in seeking severance payments from the PIF after “career-altering decisions” were made based on promises that have not been kept.