Lead Investor BC Partners Pulls Out, Dashing LIV Golf Relaunch Plans

BC Partners has withdrawn its pledged $300 million investment, sending the planned LIV Golf relaunch into collapse, sources said. The private capital firm walked away after it could not secure firm commitments from several star players. LIV Golf, the Saudi‑backed circuit that filed for bankruptcy protection in September, had hoped to return as “LIV 2.0” with a shorter schedule and lower prize money. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had already poured about $5 billion into the league since 2022, but stopped funding earlier this year. The loss of BC Partners means the league’s remaining assets are expected to be liquidated. Former LIV players such as Jon Rahm publicly announced they would not join the new version, while others, including Bryson DeChambeau, have not confirmed a return. The DP World Tour recently reversed its dual‑participation policy, forcing golfers to choose between the two circuits. DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings told the Scotsman that the tour must protect itself from an entity that spent “over $7 billion” with the aim of destroying the DP World Tour. Rory McIlroy echoed Kinnings’ view, saying the league had originally claimed it would “complete and not compete”. Bankruptcy filings list liabilities of $500 million to $1 billion owed to at least 1,000 creditors. Rahm, DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson each have unsecured claims exceeding $5 million in past‑due payments. ## Context The bankruptcy filing means a court will oversee selling LIV’s remaining assets to repay creditors. With the main investor gone, players are likely to return to the PGA or DP World Tour for stability. The DP World Tour’s policy change underscores the rivalry between the two circuits and its impact on player choices.