LIV Golf CEO refuses to guarantee the league will survive the season

Scott O'Neil isn't conveying confidence about LIV Golf's future

During his interview with CNBC, O'Neil was more focused on begging for investors than painting a positive picture of LIV Golf's future. 

"We understand there's a time constraint, but what a special time in the world to be able to get into the world's most important sport, a global sport, and to come in at a ground level at a great price with an incredible return ahead," he said. "So that's where we're locked in, and that's our focus."

When asked how he plans to convince investors they aren't throwing their money away, O'Neil argued that LIV Golf is thriving despite the public perception. 

"You know, I think it starts with the billions and billions of dollars that have been built to create the foundation of this program, to build a brand this strong, to assemble this kind of star power, and to be a truly global league," he said. "I mean, this is a sports league that plays the most important sport in the world on five continents. There just aren't that many opportunities like that. 

"...We have really good business momentum. This is about getting the costs under control, re-imagining what the business could, should, and will look like, and then engaging our players as partners — like true equity partners in this business."

O'Neil told CNBC that he's already had five formal meetings with potential investors, and he has more on the books in the coming days. At least one of those meetings needs to lead to a future partnership, as the PIF could withdraw its funding at any time. The PIF will stop financially supporting LIV Golf after the 2026 season, but there's no guarantee it will continue to foot the bill for the rest of the year. 

If the Saudis decide to cut their losses and pull the plug now, LIV Golf might not even last to 2027. 

Even with the doomsday scenario on the table, O'Neil trusts PIF to support LIV Golf for at least another four tournaments.

"Well, I can say they've been terrific partners so far, and you have to take an incredible organization like PIF at their word," he said. "And they've been very public about funding us through the season."

O'Neil has no choice but to be outwardly optimistic as the leader and spokesperson for LIV Golf, but his words don't match the harsh reality his league is facing.