LIV Golf to postpone Louisiana event scheduled for the end of June to avoid World Cup clash
LIV Golf's inaugural tournament in New Orleans, initially scheduled for the end of June, is to be postponed to a date later this year; it means LIV won't have any tournaments in the USA for three months from Virginia from May 7-10 until August 6-9 at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey
Tuesday 28 April 2026 19:52, UK
LIV Golf is to postpone its Louisiana event scheduled for June, a joint statement from the state's governor and secretary has confirmed.
The Saudi-funded circuit has been working in coordination with Louisiana governor Jeff Landry's office and economic officials to find a new date for the tournament later in the year.
The tournament was initially scheduled for June 25-28 at Bayou Oaks at City Park, but concerns over the impact the FIFA World Cup could have on attendance and viewership, as well as issues such as high temperatures and course conditions were believed to be factors in the decision.
The World Cup takes place in the US, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
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A joint statement was released by Landry and Louisiana economic development secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois on Tuesday, confirming the LIV tournament postponement.
"Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall.
"The state has already paid $3.2m (£2.4m) in accordance with the contract. LIV is expected to return all state incentive funds, with the exception of the $2m (£1.48m) already invested in upgrades for City Park, ensuring those improvements remain in place for the community.
"We appreciate LIV's good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year."
The postponment of the Louisiana tournament comes less than two weeks after LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil said the breakaway circuit's 2026 season would proceed as planned amid reports that the series is at risk of losing its funding.
The Louisiana event is the only LIV tournament on the schedule during the World Cup.
LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club is scheduled to begin May 7 in Washington, DC.
PGA CEO considering pathways to reinstate LIV Golfers
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp says the American circuit is thinking about establishing new pathways to reinstate LIV Golf players, amid speculation over the breakaway league's future.
Rumours have swirled in the past weeks that LIV Golf could lose its financial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), after the breakaway league was not mentioned in its four-year investment strategy.
McGinley: It's not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys
Sky Sports Golf analyst Paul McGinley believes LIV players interested in returning to the PGA Tour or the DP World Tour could face multiple "roadblocks" on their way to regaining membership, adding that the landscape on both circuits has vastly changed since LIV's inception.
"Over the last four years since LIV has been going, all of the spots these 56 players have had on the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour have been filled," McGinley said during Sky Sports Golf's coverage of the final round of The RBC Heritage.
"You can't just muscle your way back into what is going to be smaller fields than the bigger fields that they left.
"It's not going to be an easy way back in, should they be allowed to do so.
"Also, there are a lot of roadblocks in the way. There would be suspensions, there would be fines, all the kinds of things that have been talked about in the last few years would have to remain in place in order to be equitable and fair to the guys who remained with the main tours over the last four years.
"There's a lot of negotiation to be done between the main tours and the LIV players, if LIV is going to fold, in terms of what the future may be.
"It's not going to be plain sailing for the LIV guys."
Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, majors and more live on Sky Sports, with the PGA Championship (May 14-17), US Open (June 18-21) and The Open (July 16-19) all exclusively live on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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