LIV Golf’s Recruiting Pitch to PGA TOUR Pros Just Got More Difficult

LIV Golf’s recruiting pitch to PGA TOUR professionals who might be looking to jump ship just got a little bit more difficult.

The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) is trimming back overseas investments considerably, looking to primarily focus on domestic projects, governor Yasir Al Rumayyan said at the Future Investment Initiative this week. One of those investments that will be impacted by the change will be LIV Golf.

Previously, 30 percent of the $930 billion fund was available for overseas markets, but that could be squeezed to as little as 18 percent and as much as 20 percent, Financial Times had quoted Al Rumayyan saying.

🚨 Saudi PIF to cut to cut international investment from 30% to 18-20% as the fund shifts focus to domestic projects, governor Yasir Al Rumayyan says at FII

— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) October 29, 2024

LIV Golf has been able to offer nearly any amount of money to any golfer on the planet. It offered Tiger Woods $1 billion but was unsuccessful. The league’s biggest signing was Jon Rahm, who took over $400 million from LIV to switch from the PGA TOUR.

However, these signing bonuses may be less astronomical, as the change in investment strategy will impact how much money the league has to splurge on golfers.

It could also have potential implications on the merger agreement with the PGA TOUR and could be a sign that things are moving closer, as perhaps the league is preparing to poach fewer players.

Cover Image via Sportico