LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil said “prominent” Australians are among potential investors as the league seeks to raise about US$300 million (A$425 million) to survive beyond the 2026 season. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV’s sole financial backer since launch, will stop funding the league at the end of this year.

“We are very tapped in and wired in to the Australian business community and those who might be interested,” O’Neil told AAP on Friday. “Yes, we’re having some ongoing dialogue with some prominent Australians.”

Some reports have cast doubt on whether LIV’s four remaining tournaments this year will proceed, but O’Neil said the PIF has committed to funding the current season in full.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, unfortunately. But I can tell you this: the PIF has been a really strong supporter, they have always been good on their word, and they have pledged publicly that they will support us through the season.”

Cameron Smith’s Role

Cameron Smith, captain of the all-Australian Ripper GC team, is among the players helping to find potential backers. O’Neil described Smith as central to what he called “LIV 2.0.”

“He commands impact and influence on those around him and he has been a true champion for securing the investment,” O’Neil said.

Private Equity and Sports Team Owners

O’Neil said the search extends beyond Australia, with some private equity firms interested in committing the entire US$300 million, while professional sports team owners have discussed stakes in the US$25 million to US$50 million range.

“Some combination of those two might happen as well,” he said. “This is a business and a business plan that will reset with quite a bit of discipline, that will be sustainable and profitable business in three short years.”

No investor names, firm commitments, or timelines for a deal have been disclosed.

Adelaide as the Selling Point

Adelaide, which has hosted four LIV events, has become the league’s flagship stop, and O’Neil said he uses footage from those tournaments in investor presentations.

“I often show videos of Australia because until you see it, it’s hard to believe and imagine that golf could be this much fun,” he said. “There is nothing I have seen like the fans in Australia at a LIV event, so it’s a very, very special place and it plays a very prominent role in talking to investors.”

O’Neil said the league’s ideal outcome is to secure investment from each of the five continents where it stages events. Landing an Australian backer, he said, would sit at the top of that list.

“Nothing would make me more happy, more proud of what we do and how we do it, than to have one of our investors come from Australia,” he said.

With four events left on the 2026 schedule and no confirmed deal in place, the fundraising effort is continuing.