\t\t\t\tLIV Golf\u2019s hopes of making it to 2027 have been kept alive. For now\u2026<\/p>\n
Fifteen players have expressed an interest in committing to LIV Golf 2.0, according to a report from the Financial Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> for LIV Golf, had put an October 25 deadline on proceedings.<\/p>\n BC have made clear LIV need to have \u201cat least 30 to 40 players\u201d 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\u2019s Public Investment Fund which, according to the league\u2019s bankruptcy documents, is the date it will start winding down the league as its sole lender.<\/p>\n The PIF has so far shelled out north of $5 billion on LIV since its inauguration in 2022.<\/p>\n TG has been in regular contact with a senior executive at LIV Golf, who has told us there is \u201ccontinued optimism here\u201d at the league\u2019s headquarters, and that everything regarding 2.0 remains \u201con schedule\u201d.<\/p>\n When asked about the Financial Times report, the official described it as containing \u201cseveral inaccuracies and mischaracterizations\u201d, but added that they \u201cwill not be sharing the additional details at this time\u201d. <\/p>\n They did, however, note that the number of players who have committed to LIV Golf, or remain engaged in serious, constructive discussions \u201cis dynamic and continues to evolve\u201d.<\/p>\n Sujeet Indap, who has been covering the story for the Financial Times, says interested players have been \u201casking BC to explain their power and governance rights in LIV 2.0\u201d \u2013 with particular focus on how the league will generate income as well as any particular risks for the golfers.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s five years to date, but was forced to leave a large amount on the table in order to break free from his contract.<\/p>\n Rahm\u2019s fellow team captains, Louis Oosthuizen<\/a> and Ian Poulter<\/a>, have also declared themselves out of LIV, as have the Spaniard\u2019s Legion XIII colleagues Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin as players continue to either quit or signal their intentions to quit.<\/p>\n