PGA and DP World Tours Unite With Asian Tour, Challenging LIV Golf

WHO:

Golf Channel - Scott O’Neil, CEO of LIV Golf, is seeking investors to keep the league alive for 2027 and beyond.

Golf Channel - The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, LIV Golf, Cho Minn Thant (commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour), Rory McIlroy (Masters champion), Scott O’Neil (CEO of LIV Golf).

WHAT:

Golf Channel - Mobii Systems Group has sued LIV Golf in U.S. District Court in Miami, alleging LIV has not paid $925,100 in fees for technology services.

Golf Channel - Mobii Systems claims $209,531 in lost revenue for the remaining six events in 2026.

Golf Channel - The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Asian Tour announced a strategic alliance aimed at global collaboration.

Golf Channel - The alliance takes immediate effect through 2029.

Golf Channel - LIV Golf invested $300 million in the Asian Tour to create the “International Series” with purses of up to $2 million.

BBC - LIV Golf's next event starts at the JCB Club in Staffordshire on Thursday.

BBC - The Asian Tour's previous partnership with LIV offered a promotion and relegation pathway to LIV's series of $30 million tournaments.

Golf Channel - The Asian Tour is expected to have at least two co-sanctioned events each of the next three years.

BBC - The PGA Tour and DP World Tour's partnership will provide pathways for leading golfers in Asia to gain playing rights from the 2027 DP World Tour season.

WHERE:

Golf Channel - The announcement was made during meetings at The Open.

BBC - LIV Golf's next event is at the JCB Club in Staffordshire.

WHEN:

Golf Channel - The alliance with the Asian Tour takes effect immediately and lasts through 2029.

BBC - The PGA Tour and DP World Tour's partnership was confirmed in meetings at last week's Open Championship.

WHY:

Golf Channel - The lawsuit against LIV Golf is part of ongoing financial challenges faced by the league following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing.

Golf Channel - The alliance is seen as a blow to LIV Golf, which had a relationship with the Asian Tour since its launch in 2022.

Golf Channel - The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will no longer fund LIV Golf after this season.

Golf Channel - Cho Minn Thant stated, “We feel the time is now right to collaborate with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour to enhance the Asian Tour for our members, fans and partners.”

HOW:

Golf Channel - LIV Golf's senior vice president of technology, Nick Connor, indicated in a May 25 email that LIV would no longer use the technology after the South Korea event that ended May 31.

Golf Channel - The PGA Tour and DP World Tour will partner with the Asian Tour to provide commercial and playing opportunities.

Golf Channel - The alliance aims to establish a path for Asian Tour members to join European circuits.

Scott O’Neil, the CEO of LIV Golf, is actively seeking investors to ensure the league's survival through 2027 and beyond. Meanwhile, Mobii Systems Group has filed a lawsuit against LIV Golf in U.S. District Court in Miami, claiming the league owes $925,100 for technology services and alleging $209,531 in lost revenue from the remaining six events in 2026. This legal action highlights the ongoing financial difficulties faced by LIV Golf following the withdrawal of its Saudi Arabian financial backing.