LIV Golf have confirmed that the Louisiana event has been postponed with the future of the tour seemingly in jeopardy.
The story emerged on Tuesday that the event was set to be moved to the autumn, with LIV now confirming the shift. This comes on the back of the message from CEO Scott O'Neil saying their season continued "exactly as planned, at full throtte".
With news that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) were realigning their sporting investments, it cast immediate doubt on the viability of LIV Golf. The tour was never self-sustaining, and any withdrawal of support from the PIF would likely signal the end to the breakaway league.
The first domino to fall is the Louisiana event, planned for June. A joint statement from Louisiana governor Jeff Landry and economic development secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois read: "Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil 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.
"The state has already paid $3.2m (£2.4m) in accordance with the contract. LIV is expected to return all state incentive funds, with the exception of the $2m (£1.48m) already invested in upgrades for City Park, ensuring those improvements remain in place for the community."
LIV later released their own statement explaining the decision to move the event, with the reasoning beyond laughable and taking fans for fools. "We have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall," a LIV statement read.
"This 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."
Anybody who doesn't know that Louisiana is hot in the summer or that there was a World Cup going on in the USA this year has no business planning golf tournaments. The fact is, LIV organisers were aware of both and the event has been postponed -- and likely cancelled, considering the LIV season ends in August -- because the bottomless pit of money turned out not to be bottomless at all.
For the players, it presents an interesting situation. The LIV season is now without an event between the Andalucia event at the start of June and the UK event at the end of July, leaving a month's gap between the US Open and The Open. The likes of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will likely try and get a DP World Tour event or two under their belt to stay sharp.
Since its inception, LIV never thrived, but survived with the backing of a wealthy benefactor. When that wealthy benefactor loses interest and the money dries up, it's hard to see how LIV continues in its current guise. It's now a matter of time before the screens go up around LIV Golf, with the sport moving a step closer to unity once again.
It's been a muddy chapter in golf's history, and the sooner it's closed, the better.
