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LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has worked to keep bankrupt league alive (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The LIV Golf League got some good news Monday as it attempts to relaunch in 2027, officially entering into a restructuring agreement with BC Partners which will provide supplemental financing as part of an initial $300 million investment that will help the golf tour restructure its business.
The deal requires court approval as part of LIV Golf’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on Sept. 9, with a hearing set for Oct. 14. Approval would allow the league to move forward with plans for LIV 2.0 in 2027.
“Our goal is to facilitate LIV Golf’s emergence from the restructuring process on sound financial footing and with renewed momentum heading into the 2027 season,” said Ted Goldthorpe, partner and head of BC Partners Credit, in a statement. “Just as importantly, we want the players who make this league what it is to share in what they help build. Giving players real and actionable ownership in the league and the teams is a unique opportunity in professional golf, and it aligns everyone around the long-term success of the product for the game and for the fans.”
Under what is called an amended restructuring support agreement (RSA), BC Partners agreed to extend to Oct. 25 a deadline for player commitments to the league, allowing more time for league representatives to meet with players and agents to gauge their interest in the league and a 2027 schedule, which CEO Scott O’Neil has floated as a 10-event slate with at least half of the events to be played outside of the United States.
Players would become equity partners in the league as well as its teams.
Also in today’s DD …
K&K: Koivun joins Koepka on new Motor City TGL team
O’Neil has spent most of the last six months trying to hold LIV Golf together in the wake of the Public Investment Fund’s April decision to pull its funding from the league following the 2026 season.
The Saudi wealth fund was the league’s benefactor since its launch in June of 2022 and had spent some $5 billion via lucrative player contracts, purses and staging of events before abruptly changing course in the wake of a change in priorities that was hastened by the Iran war.
Despite its pledge to continue funding through 2026, LIV Golf canceled two tournaments, including its season-ending Team Championship, and endured numerous complaints about unpaid bills, fees and payments to various entities, some of which will be determined in court.
“This investment is an important step forward for LIV Golf, and I want to thank Ted Goldthorpe and the entire BC Partners team for their conviction in what we’re building,” O’Neil said in a statement. “We believe deeply in the future of this league and in the opportunity to build something distinctive alongside our players.
“We’re delivering on our major milestones, and while there is still work ahead, today marks meaningful progress toward a player-owned, team-focused, truly global league that complements the wider game and creates new opportunities for players, fans, partners and the next generation of golfers.”
The Chapter 11 filing revealed estimated assets of between $100 million and $500 million, with liabilities of between $500 million and $1 billion. It also listed several players — including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and Dustin Johnson — as creditors who are owed considerable sums through the third quarter of this year.
In order to continue, BC Partners had stipulated a certain buy-in from players contracted to the league. So far, many players have been left waiting for clarity on the future.
Joaquin Niemann, 27, is among those who has yet to decide his future. The Chilean golfer, who holds the league record with nine victories, told the outlet Latercera prior to winning the Chilean Open over the weekend that he was still weighing “whether I want to stay and believe in what’s happening in the league or go play more in Europe and from there tty to get on the PGA Tour,” he said in comments translated from Spanish.
Niemann told the publication that he understood the positive of possible equity in the league and “knowing that it’s something that I think could take a couple of years. I don’t know if it’s something I want to do at this stage of my career. So, these are questions I have to ask myself before making a decision.”
Koivun joins Motor City TGL team
Brooks Koepka has a new teammate. The former Smash Golf Club captain when he was with LIV Golf was the foundational member of the expansion Motor City Golf Club with the TGL simulator league. Now he has his first Motor City teammate — Jackson Koivun.
Fresh of an unbeaten debut in his first Presidents Cup, the 21-year-year Koivun has been named to the Detroit expansion team’s inaugural roster for the upcoming 2027 TGL presented by SoFi season.
Koivun went 2-0-1 — including a come-from-behind 2-up singles victory over Si Woo Kim — as the U.S. team overcame a three-point deficit on the final day to beat the International team 17-13 at Medinah.
Koivun has rapidly risen to star status since taking up his PGA Tour card via PGA Tour University in June. He earned his first PGA Tour victory at the 3M Open in July, winning in his third professional start. At Auburn, he became the first player to twice sweep the Fred Haskins, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus awards as the nation’s top collegiate golfer.
Koivun also brings an extensive record of success in team golf. He helped Auburn win NCAA Division I team championships in 2024 and 2026 and has represented the United States in the Junior Presidents Cup, Arnold Palmer Cup, Walker Cup and Presidents Cup.
“Some of my best experiences have come while playing team golf, from winning national championships at Auburn to representing the U.S. at the Presidents Cup,” Koivun said.
“I am a huge fan of TGL and love how it brings new fans and an arena experience to golf. I’ve been to SoFi Center, and it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced in the game. I’m excited to join Brooks, compete in a new environment and help build a team Detroit can passionately support.”
Michael Hamp, the team governor of Motor City Golf Club, was thrilled to tout the signing.
“Jackson showed at the Presidents Cup that he is built for the big moments. What an unbelievable performance,” Hamp said. “His competitive spirit, grit and the energy he brings to a team are exactly what we envision for Motor City Golf Club. With Jackson and Brooks, we have an amazing foundation for what we are trying to build.”
I don’t understand the team names for TGL. Named after cities or regions makes no sense at all! They all play out of Palm Beach or wherever that arena is.