Smylie Kaufman has suggested that LIV Golf are considering a change that would mark the end of the league’s time as any sort of threat to the PGA Tour, but would benefit the game as a whole.
Of course, there is real doubt over what the future holds for LIV Golf. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia plan to withdraw their financial support for the league at the end of the season.
Those associated with LIV are clearly in no mood to give up on the league. They are currently looking to bring in at least $250 million of investment.
Smylie Kaufman reacts to LIV Golf’s plans for 2027 onwards
LIV are reportedly proposing a 10-event schedule from 2027 to potential investors, with the plan to host those tournaments across the globe.
It is obvious that the days of LIV as we currently know it are numbered. It is hard to imagine that anyone is going to be prepared to put in anything like the money the PIF have invested so far. With that, big money signings look to be out of the question.
And speaking on The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman issued his verdict on LIV’s reported plans and what it may mean for the game as a whole.
“They want to go to a 10-week global schedule, which I find to be so, so interesting. They’re trying to have the best global tour and just play 10 events throughout the year. I could argue that this is actually better for the game, that there’s less events and not more,” he said.
“And maybe the PGA Tour could see if LIV could only just play 10 events, I think you might be able to find a world in which you can come to some middle ground here, especially if they die off a little bit, to where you can say, ‘alright guys, we’ll start letting some LIV guys come back’, because it’s just not a threat anymore, they’re not threatening the United States market if they’re not playing there. But what they are taking away from you is some top-end talent.
“Players aren’t going to be rushing to go over there anymore without the guarantee of the money and the guarantee of the big purses. Now, could they play for some money? Sure. Is it going to be what they had? No. Are these guys going to be able to re-sign for big deals? No. So it’s not enough golf to stay competitive. So guys that are young are going to have to get DP World Tour status and try and chase it out there, which gives them more access to play potentially in more majors. But if you’re a young 20-something year old, 10 events is not enough.
“You’ve got to find a way to play the DP World Tour, or maybe there’s a world in which these guys can try to also qualify for the PGA Tour. I just don’t know how that would work, but 10’s a way better number than 14.”
LIV Golf will surely struggle to attract more young prospects to the league
As Kaufman notes, it is hard to see why any player would now choose to sign with LIV without assurances from other tours. Certainly, any young player is going to struggle to realise their full potential while LIV is their main tour.
It remains the case that no player has secured their first professional win in a LIV Golf event since the very first season of the league.
If LIV are only staging 10 events a year, and are not offering huge purses, then it may not be too long before the majority of the star power on their roster moves on.
