LIV Golf’s Future Is Secure, and Here’s Why It’s More Than Just About Money
LIV Golf isn’t going anywhere—at least not according to former President Donald Trump. In a recent conversation with Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, Trump shed light on why the Saudi-backed golf league is here to stay, and it’s not just about the sport itself. But here’s where it gets controversial: Trump’s insights reveal a much larger geopolitical strategy at play, one that goes far beyond birdies and bogeys.
Published on October 14, 2025, at 8:45 AM EDT, and updated at 8:20 AM EDT, the discussion comes as LIV Golf prepares to kick off its fifth season in Riyadh in February 2026. While the league hasn’t reached the stratospheric popularity it initially aimed for, its survival isn’t in question—and Trump’s explanation is both straightforward and eye-opening.
During an episode of the Straight Facts Homie podcast, Chamblee, a vocal critic of LIV Golf, recounted a round of golf he played with Trump two years ago. The conversation naturally turned to LIV, and Trump offered a perspective that Chamblee found hard to ignore. ‘I know you and I disagree on LIV,’ Trump said, ‘but let me tell you why it’s going to stick around.’
Trump’s reasoning boiled down to two key points. First, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is a passionate golf enthusiast. ‘He loves golf more than you and I do,’ Trump noted. Second, and perhaps more crucially, Saudi Arabia sits on an estimated $32 trillion in oil reserves. ‘They have the financial firepower to sustain LIV Golf for decades,’ Trump emphasized.
But this is the part most people miss: Chamblee also highlighted that Saudi Arabia’s investment in LIV Golf isn’t just about sports. It’s part of a broader strategy to diversify the Saudi economy and enhance the kingdom’s global influence. A professional golf tour that travels the world serves as a high-profile vehicle for achieving these goals. And with Trump’s golf courses frequently hosting LIV events, the connection between the former president and the league is hard to ignore.
While Trump’s insights aren’t exactly groundbreaking—anyone familiar with LIV Golf knows the Saudis have deep pockets—hearing it from a former U.S. president gives the argument a certain gravitas. After all, when the leader of the free world says the Saudis will continue pouring millions into LIV, it carries more weight than your weekend golf buddy’s opinion.
But here’s the controversial question: Is LIV Golf’s longevity a testament to the power of sports diplomacy, or is it a concerning example of sportswashing? Does Saudi Arabia’s financial might justify its growing influence in global sports, or should we be more critical of the motivations behind such investments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s far from over.
