Jon Rahm remains unfazed by LIV Golf ambiguity, tops leaderboard in Mexico
MEXICO CITY — Jon Rahm stated that he experienced no difficulties progressing within the ropes despite the uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf’s future. He held the lead after the second round on Friday, even as additional questions arose following a television interview with CEO Scott O’Neil.
Rahm, following a challenging performance at the Masters, added a 4-under 67 on Friday to his initial 65, securing a one-shot advantage at LIV Golf Mexico.
“Winning requires a lot, and a bit of luck is also necessary,” Rahm remarked. “I’m clearly playing well enough; I just need to capitalize on the chances I’ve created for myself.”
Rahm was ahead by one shot over Matthew Wolff (65), Tom McKibbin (65), and Harold Varner III (66) at Chapultepec Golf Club.
Speculation was rampant on Wednesday regarding the potential depletion of LIV’s primary funding source — Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. O’Neil communicated in a memo to staff that the 2026 season would continue without disruption and at “full throttle.”
Uncertainties persisted about whether this would extend beyond the current year, and O’Neil added to the intrigue during an interview with U.K.-based TNT Sports.
“The reality is that you’re funded throughout the season, and then you work diligently as a business to establish a business and a business plan to sustain us,” O’Neil explained. “But that’s not different from any other private equity-funded business throughout history.”
The interview was subsequently removed from TNT Sports’ social media account and replaced with an alternate version.
In a prior interview with LIV’s broadcast team, O’Neil expressed optimism about the future.
“Considering the momentum of this business, we’re genuinely enthusiastic about our current position,” O’Neil stated.
He mentioned that he met with 50 individuals at the Masters and introduced a plan that “might surprise people.” LIV Golf has indicated that some of its metrics, such as ticket sales and team sponsorships, have seen growth, and O’Neil anticipates that 10 of the 13 teams and four of the 14 events will be profitable.
However, there are significant expenses associated with prize funds ($30 million for each tournament) and operations. The newsletter Money in Sport reported in February that LIV Golf had already expended $5.3 billion and was expected to exceed $6 billion by the year’s end.
“This idea of bringing teams to market, I had two calls this morning,” O’Neil mentioned on the LIV broadcast. “This idea of, ‘Do you need to raise money?’ This is likely business. But if we maintain our current trajectory and revenue growth, this is going to be a very successful business for a long time.”
