The Bayou State is hitting the pause button on LIV Golf — for now.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Susan Bourgeois released a joint statement Tuesday confirming the postponement of the Saudi-backed league's June 25 event in New Orleans. The decision comes as LIV Golf faces serious financial headwinds, with reports that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is preparing to pull its funding.
According to The Athletic's Brody Miller, Landry and Bourgeois revealed that LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil called on Friday to request a delay. The league is exploring the possibility of holding a fall event in the city instead.
“First, we want to thank Zurich and PGA Tour leadership for another outstanding tournament this past weekend,” the statement read. “We are proud of the continued partnership and the opportunities this event brings to our state each year. 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.”
As part of the agreement, LIV Golf will return $1.2 million of the $3 million in state funds it received. The remaining $2 million had already been spent on upgrades to City Park.
“We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” the statement continued. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort. Louisiana continues to move forward with strong momentum and we remain focused on opportunities that deliver value for our communities.”
The postponement leaves a nearly seven-week hole in LIV Golf's summer schedule. The next event is still on track for May 7–10 in Washington, D.C.
LIV Golf burst onto the scene in 2022 by luring away several PGA Tour stars with massive, Saudi-backed contracts. But the league's future now hangs in the balance. The Athletic reported earlier this month that LIV executives are desperately seeking a “life raft,” and golfers are already eyeing escape routes. According to Golfer's Ben Parsons, multiple LIV players are looking at the DP World Tour as a potential fallback if the league folds after the 2026 season.
For Louisiana, the delay is a setback but not a complete loss. The state remains open to a fall date, and the partnership — at least for now — is still alive. But with the PIF reportedly pulling the plug, the clock is ticking on LIV Golf's survival.
