![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Sergio Garcia in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.](https://frontofficesportsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/USATSI_28164468_168416386_lowres.jpg?quality=80&w=1024)
As the PGA Tour prepares to make massive changes to its annual calendar and overall structure as early as next year, there still appears to be no scheduling synergy with its rival LIV Golf.
Last year at this time, heading into the 2025 Masters, some sort of deal between the PGA Tour and LIV’s financial backers—the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia—seemed imminent after multiple meetings between the parties at the White House facilitated by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, that momentum ultimately faded, and this spring things are much different as the industry prepares to meet in Augusta next month.
After drawing more than 100,000 fans for its debut tournament in South Africa, LIV announced plans to return to the country next year, marking the fourth set of confirmed event dates for the league in 2027, which will be its sixth season.
- Hong Kong: Feb. 18-21
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: March 10-13
- Adelaide, Australia: March 18-21
- South Africa: April 22-25
The PGA Tour hasn’t released any portion of its 2027 schedule yet (that will likely come in August), but earlier this month CEO Brian Rolapp outlined six key themes the tour is using to shape its future.
Next year could bring a later-than-usual start to the PGA Tour season in late January and at a premier West Coast venue (as opposed to the traditional start in Hawai’i), according to Rolapp. It will likely be 2028 before other shifts like creating a top-tier and second-tier track of events with promotion and relegation are implemented.
LIV’s 2027 Saudi Arabia tournament will probably overlap with The Players Championship—the PGA Tour’s flagship event—typically played during the second full week in March. Earlier this month, LIV Singapore ran against The Players.
Despite the PGA Tour’s push earlier this year to elevate The Players to major championship status, Rolapp pushed back on the idea of potentially allowing LIV players to compete in the event. “That’s not a priority I’ve put on my list,” he said. “That’s not something I’ve considered to date. There’s other priorities.”
LIV’s Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith did not apply for reinstatement to the PGA Tour as part of the returning member program that was available in February, following Brooks Koepka’s move from LIV back to the PGA Tour. Patrick Reed is returning to the PGA Tour later this year.
DeChambeau’s LIV contract is up after the 2026 season, but Rahm has multiple years remaining.
Rolapp, who is still in his first year as CEO, appears to be content moving forward without any partnership with LIV or promise of former PGA Tour stars returning, many sources in the golf industry who have spoken with Front Office Sports recently believe.
LIV CEO Scott O’Neil is in his second year leading the league, after taking over for Greg Norman in January 2025.
