Event Overview
Stephen A Smith blames PGA Tour for LIV Golf saga, moronically says defectors shouldn't face any punishment
Multiple outlets report that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cease funding LIV Golf after the 2026 season, with Fox News noting Trump’s reaction to the funding withdrawal and OutKick’s discussion of Stephen A. Smith’s stance on punishment for LIV defectors. The Guardian US confirms the PIF withdrawal and its wide implications for LIV, players, and golf’s traditional heartlands. There is disagreement on whether LIV players should be punished for defecting, with Smith arguing no punishment and others suggesting consequences; Fox News attributes the claim to Smith, while The Guardian frames implications more broadly for the tour and players.
Concrete downstream impact: Saudi PIF withdrawal potentially reshapes LIV Golf’s funding and future, with broad implications for players and the sport, per The Guardian US and Fox News coverage citing the funding change. The financial wind-down creates uncertainty for LIV and its participants.
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Stephen A Smith blames PGA Tour for LIV Golf saga, moronically says defectors shouldn't face any punishment
OutKick's Jonathan Hutton & Chad Withrow discuss why LIV players should be allowed back on the PGA Tour. It's not often we hear Stephen A. Smith weigh in on anything golf-related, and after hearing his reaction to the Saudis pulling their funding of LIV Golf, we should all be incredibly thankful for that. On Thursday.
Trump weighs in on LIV Golf, PGA Tour after Saudis pull funding of startup league
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is withdrawing billions from LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season, casting a shadow over the upstart golf league's future. After LIV Golf formally announced Thursday that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will no longer fund the startup league, President Donald Trump is.
Is this the end for LIV? Where does Saudi withdrawal leave golf and the players?
Can LIV find new backers and what are the options for Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Lee Westwood and others? Confirmation that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will cease funding the LIV Golf tour will have huge ramifications, for the future of the tour itself, the players and across golf’s traditional heartlands.