LIV Golf CEO urges cooperation with other tours to secure future schedule

LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil appealed to the "guardians and stewards" of men’s professional golf on Wednesday, asking rival tours to end long-standing friction and permit LIV players to compete on their events without sanctions. The remarks came ahead of LIV’s season finale near Indianapolis and were framed as a call for collaboration rather than competition.

O’Neil said the league is shifting to a "LIV 2.0" model that would feature ten events, down from the twelve scheduled for this year and the fourteen originally planned for 2026. He noted that most top players typically need around twenty tournaments to qualify for major championships, highlighting the importance of access to other tours.

The plea follows reports that the DP World Tour is preparing to re-impose fines and suspensions on players who participate in LIV events, citing its "conflicting events" rule. O’Neil singled out former DP World Tour player Stuart Cage, who acts as a liaison for LIV golfers, and suggested that questions be directed to the European Tour’s leadership.

"We’re not asking anyone to choose between LIV Golf and the rest of the game," O’Neil said. "We’re asking something much simpler: Can LIV add something valuable to golf?"

The PGA Tour, which has not allowed players to move freely between its circuit and LIV, was not mentioned by name in O’Neil’s remarks. He indicated that LIV’s future depends on securing a new investment partnership and on retaining a critical mass of players willing to commit to the revised schedule.

Investors, including BC Partners, are reportedly awaiting player commitments, while players seek assurance of financial backing. O’Neil acknowledged a deadline for player decisions but declined to specify the date.

If other tours do not permit dual participation, O’Neil said LIV would simply add more events, leveraging smaller feeder tours and markets in Australia, South Africa and Asia to provide a full schedule for its members.