The Rise and Fall of LIV Golf: Saudi Arabia's $5 Billion Bet on Professional Golf

LIV Golf's rise and sudden financial crisis are examined, from the Saudi-backed league's launch and its disruption of professional golf to the Public Investment Fund's decision to withdraw funding. The explanation covers the league's innovations, the massive contracts offered to stars, and the business and political factors behind the collapse.

■ LIV Golf's Launch and Innovations
- Defection of PGA stars and record-breaking signing bonuses
- Format changes: 54 holes, team play, global events, and larger prize pools

■ Saudi Backing and the Business Model
- PIF's $5 billion investment and soft-power ambitions
- Reliance on sovereign wealth and vulnerability to economic pressures

■ Decline and Search for a Future
- Low viewership compared to the PGA Tour and waning public interest
- PIF withdrawal, new investor search, and demands for players to take equity

Golf fans and those interested in sports business will gain a clear understanding of how LIV Golf challenged the PGA Tour and why its financial model collapsed, supported by concrete data on viewership, prize money, and investment figures.