Cameron Smith says he was assured LIV Golf will keep going beyond this year despite Saudi funding ending after 2026.
LIV Golf’s future is still under debate, but Cameron Smith is pushing back on the idea the circuit is running out of time.
Speaking after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund confirmed it will cut funding at the close of the 2026 season, the former world number two said he has been given assurances the tour will continue beyond this year.. The all-Australian Ripper GC captain also said the team is working behind the scenes to address uncertainty linked to the loss of Saudi backing.
For Smith, that confidence is more than optimism. It matters because players are still making career decisions based on whether the league looks stable past the next few tournaments, not just this season.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF has been a central supporter of LIV since its 2022 launch, and its decision to reduce funding has left the tour searching for additional backers. Smith, who joined early on a reported nine-figure deal, has earned about $50 million in prize money through the team-based format.
Smith did not spell out any specifics on what the assurances covered, but he said he had been told in clear terms that LIV’s next year is not in doubt. He pointed to momentum inside the organization and said he expects progress and new challenges in the months ahead.
That stance also reflects how leadership is trying to steady the ship. When major sponsors step back, confidence from marquee players can quickly become part of the tour’s credibility with prospective investors.
LIV chief executive Scott O’Neil echoed the upbeat message, saying he has been speaking with potential backers and believes new sponsorship and investment is within reach.. He described recent conversations with prospective investors and said the response was encouraging, spanning private equity, family offices and sports-focused high-net-worth backers.
Even so, O’Neil stopped short of confirming whether player contracts would be honoured beyond 2026. He said nothing has changed regarding funding through the season, while acknowledging that PIF now owns the majority of the business.
Meanwhile, Smith’s own results have come under scrutiny. Over the past two years at the majors, his form has dipped sharply, and he missed the cut at all four majors in 2025. He said the situation was not good enough and that he is making changes to improve, insisting he still feels driven.
The immediate takeaway for fans is simple: even as funding timelines shift, LIV is trying to present continuity rather than crisis. If the tour can secure fresh support, Smith’s confidence could become a signal that the competition is aiming to stay on course.