Donald Trump was key proponent of LIV Golf before breakaway tour declared bankruptcy
Donald Trump was key proponent of LIV Golf before breakaway tour declared bankruptcy
Matthew Neschis Wed, September 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM UTC
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President Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
President Donald Trump is an avid golfer
President Donald Trump played a pivotal role in the rise and decline of LIV Golf, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Speaking about the major transformations ahead for LIV Golf, commissioner Scott O'Neil stated in an official announcement, "The people of LIV Golf, led by the players, have continued to show incredible resilience, commitment, and a shared belief in what we are building. Thanks to their tireless work, LIV Golf has created a foundation to entertain and inspire the next generation of global golf fans around the world.
"This process gives us the structure and time to pursue a landmark transaction and begin the next chapter of LIV Golf - one built around the fans, an innovative, player-first ownership model, and a part of the global golf ecosystem. We are excited about what lies ahead and yet, there is still much to accomplish in the months ahead.
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"We believe deeply in LIV Golf's future, the opportunity in front of us, and the people who will help us realize it. We are grateful to our players, the incredible team at LIV Golf, our Board, BC Partners, and our partners all over the world standing tall with us, and we thank them for their belief in our next chapter.
"A special thank you to Ducera Partners who drove this investment process. We will not rest until we deliver on LIV Golf's full potential."
Below, Express U.S. Sports looks at Trump's key influence in LIV Golf's journey up to this point.
Trump voices support for LIV (Image: Getty)
Once LIV Golf launched in 2022 and effectively attracted some of the sport's most prominent figures through substantial guaranteed contracts, Trump heaped praise on the Saudi-backed circuit.
"Frankly, what they're doing for golf is so great, what they're doing for the players is so great," he told ESPN at the time. "The salaries are gonna go way up. The PGA was not loved by a lot of the players, as you know, for a long time. Now they have an alternative and nobody would've ever known there was gonna be a gold rush like this."
LIV comes to Trump's course (Image: Getty)
In July 2022, LIV Golf held its third event and first U.S. tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey. Trump showcased his golf skills in the pro-am before heaping praise on the rival league and its roster of players.
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Trump's relationship with LIV Golf grows (Image: Getty)
Several of Trump's golf courses became fixtures of the LIV Golf calendar, with his Miami/Doral club hosting the league's season-ending championships in 2022 and 2023, while his Bedminster venue hosted another event the following year.
Trump applauds LIV and PGA Tour's framework agreement (Image: Getty)
After the PGA Tour and PIF reached a framework agreement in June 2023, seemingly marking the reunification of men's golf, Trump heralded the resolution as a "big, beautiful, and glamorous deal" for the sport.
Trump assumes seat at negotiation table (Image: Getty)
In 2025, PGA Tour player directors Tiger Woods and Adam Scott joined commissioner Jay Monahan at the White House to discuss reunifying professional golf with Trump.
Monahan thanked the president for helping facilitate the eventual resolution between the Tour and LIV Golf, stating: "Number one, you look at his passion for the game, his knowledge and understanding of the game, he's very familiar with the PGA TOUR, he's very familiar with the team at the Public Investment Fund.
"Like us, he has a very clear picture of what should happen and he wants to help. The game means that much to him. And he's the ultimate dealmaker, so having him in the mix is a great thing for the game."
Trump calls for reunification (Image: Getty)
In April 2026, LIV Golf revealed that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund - which invested more than $5 billion into the breakaway league - would cease its financial support at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
At the time, Trump expressed his desire to see Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson back on the Tour, stating: "I do believe that all of the golfers should be playing against each other. We were viewing something as a monopoly, but it's the opposite of a monopoly. I want to see Rory playing Bryson DeChambeau. I want to see big Jon Rahm playing.... Scottie, who's so great. Right. Scottie Scheffler is great. And I want to see him play Jon Rahm and Bryson and all the different guys."
Trump and LIV Golf return to Bedminster (Image: Getty)
In August 2026, LIV Golf returned to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster for the first time since 2023, and Trump also attended the third round of the New York tournament in person. The 80-year-old was spotted driving around the course in a golf cart and waving towards fans.
LIV Golf files for bankruptcy (Image: Getty)
On Tuesday, LIV Golf revealed it had secured a restructuring support agreement that would see the breakaway circuit become "majority owned by players."
The arrangement is currently pending approval, with the organization also "seeking recognition of the U.S. Chapter 11 proceedings in England and Wales to preserve the value of its international assets and operations."
Source: “AOL Money”
