LIV Golf touts 'strong momentum' despite New Orleans postponement

LIV Golf said the league looks forward to continuing its "strong momentum" despite postponing its New Orleans event scheduled for June amid questions about its future beyond 2026.

In a statement provided to Field Level Media on Wednesday, LIV said it intends to "explore" a potential fall event in Louisiana while citing summer heat, a crowded sports calendar and course conditions among the reasons for the postponement.

"In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall," the statement read. "This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.

"We are grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall. Our team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future."

However, the postponement comes in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is preparing to pull its funding for the league. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil had promised employees in an email that the current season would go "exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle."

However, the postponement of the New Orleans event scheduled for June 25-28 leaves a gap between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf United Kingdom (July 23-26). The league is set to return to action with LIV Golf Virginia next weekend.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry's statement on Tuesday confirmed reports that Louisiana has so far paid $3.2 million of a $7 million agreement. LIV "is expected to return all state incentive funds" totaling $1.2 million; the other $2 million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks at City Park.

"We appreciate LIV's good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year," Landry said. "We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort."

NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, "exposition-style" event in New Orleans in the fall. The league's team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website's schedule page without a date.