LIV Golf Facing Funding Crisis: Bryson DeChambeau Breaks Silence

“We didn’t expect the PIF to pull its funding… LIV is exploring solutions on multiple fronts.”Korean Golf Club member Mun Do-yeop: “I’m looking forward to debuting on a course I know well.”“I believe when one door closes, another opens,” LIV Golf marquee player Bryson DeChambeau said on the 26th at an official press conference for LIV Golf Korea, held at Busan Asiad Country Club (par 70). The event carries a $30 million purse.Reports say LIV Golf recently ran into financial trouble after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which had backed the circuit with roughly $5 billion (approximately 7.55 trillion KRW) over the past four years, decided to halt further investment. Some international outlets even reported that LIV was considering filing for bankruptcy.“We were surprised because we didn’t expect the investment withdrawal,” DeChambeau said, but he added he remained optimistic because he knows LIV is working on solutions across multiple fronts. “Right now I need to focus on hitting a great tee shot on No. 1, playing solid golf, signing autographs for fans and making it a fun event,” he added.DeChambeau, a two-time U.S. Open champion (2020 and 2024) with nine PGA Tour victories, has played primarily on the LIV circuit since 2022. He won last year’s inaugural LIV Korea event and has already collected two wins in seven starts this season.“I want to win again at LIV Golf Korea, the eighth event of the season,” DeChambeau said. “The grass plays a bit differently, but Korea has some of the best fans in the world, and I want to give them my best. Asiad Country Club is a beautiful course, and I’m playing well, so I definitely want the title.”Korean Golf Club captain Byeonghun An told reporters he’s intent on shifting momentum on home soil. “Competing in Korea gives me a lot of energy, so I’m really looking forward to this event,” he said. “Many players do well in front of their home crowds. I want to use this tournament as a turning point.”Mun Do-yeop, who sits atop the Genesis points after winning the recent KPGA Gyeongbuk Open, earned a spot in the Korean Golf Club lineup after Korean-born New Zealander Danny Lee stepped aside from a wild-card spot. “LIV, Danny Lee and our team made this decision together. Danny wasn’t pushed out,” Mun said. “I’ll be making my debut on a familiar domestic course, and I’m very curious to see how I’ll perform.”This season’s eighth LIV Golf event, LIV Golf Korea, takes place from the 28th through the 31st at Busan Asiad Country Club. It’s the second consecutive year the tournament has been held in Korea.