The bomb dropped in the early hours. The X account Monday Q claimed that very important news about LIV Golf was about to be announced. That happened at three in the morning peninsular Spanish time. Rumours quickly spread, although the most concrete information came precisely from Ryan French, of Monday Q, who on X Spaces made some shocking assertions, even hinting at the immediate closure of LIV Golf.
“I think everyone should keep close to their phones… I have some pretty good sources and I’ve heard from other people who have sources that LIV is shutting down. I have all kinds of information from people I trust and who are well-known. The players didn’t receive their pay today, the electricity was cut off because the bill wasn’t paid, the staff didn’t receive their pay. Things like that. There’s definitely something significant going on… Things are not going well”Ryan French is not just anybody in the golf world. He is very well connected and highly respected in the professional game
Obviously, this kind of information has unleashed all sorts of rumours. It’s the only topic being discussed in professional golf right now. Speculation is endless and one must proceed with caution. From Ten Golf we have consulted several sources very well connected to LIV and the vast majority express surprise at the possibility that the Saudi league would close, at least immediately. It is also true that everyone agrees that if something like this were to happen, likely no one would know for sure until the moment of the announcement
However, a source very well connected to LIV has told Ten Golf that in recent times significant progress has been made towards reaching a major deal. Asked whether it would be with the PGA Tour, the response was: “I can’t say much more”
This information gives a crucial twist to the story of LIV Golf’s possible closure. Indeed — and this is already speculation based on what we hear here and there — one should not rule out the Saudi league shutting down, but within the framework of a major deal with the PGA Tour or with the DP World Tour. Both options would be feasible today. It should be remembered that Brian Rolapp, chief executive of the PGA Tour, has made an effort in his recent appearances, for example at THE PLAYERS, not to mention LIV Golf, for better or worse, and simply to focus on conveying the message that he is only working to grow the PGA Tour. Likewise, it has long been reported that there are talks between LIV and the DP World Tour
A definitive shutdown of LIV is hard to understand, as in recent months there have been renewals, as well as announcements of significant commercial deals with different brands. On the other hand, the operation of a typical company is not at all comparable to a government like Saudi Arabia’s. In other words, we can expect anything and even LIV’s own players could be among the last to find out. In any case, it seems clear that one must be very alert to what may happen in the coming hours
LIV Golf is holding a tournament this week in Mexico. The event gets under way in Chapultepec this Thursday. On Tuesday there was no public appearance at the tournament, but today press conferences are scheduled for the Fireballs, the Spanish team made up of Sergio García, David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu, as well as Mexicans Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz. It certainly seems they will have to answer at least awkward questions, provided their statements still stand
On the other hand, and this is information, regarding what Ryan French says about payments being suspended at LIV, even electricity, according to what Ten Golf has learned, this is something that is happening in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, a Spanish employee of a company that works for the Saudi government told this outlet that just three days ago they were informed that invoices pending since August for certain work that has been carried out will not be paid for the time being. In addition, some Spaniards working at Aramco have been told that their salaries will be cut in half indefinitely. These decisions are directly related to the fact that a state of emergency has been declared in Saudi Arabia because of the war with Iran. Whether this is related to the information about a possible closure of LIV Golf is something no one knows or can confirm at this time. Meanwhile, there is much speculation and phones are open 24 hours to find out what may happen. In any case, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. We’ll see how much and how strong
