LIV Golf: A Sinking Ship or Miami’s Make-or-Break Moment?
LIV Golf entered the scene with promises of revolutionizing professional golf, but nearly three years in, the numbers tell a different story. Despite deep pockets and a star-studded lineup, viewership remains alarmingly low, and the highly anticipated merger with the PGA Tour is looking shakier than ever.
The latest debacle? The LIV Golf Hong Kong event, where only 17,000 people tuned in for the final round—a staggering contrast to the PGA Tour’s 2.9 million for the WM Phoenix Open. While time zones may play a role, this isn’t an isolated issue—even events in prime slots have struggled, with past tournaments drawing fewer viewers than Disney Junior.
Is Miami the Turning Point?
LIV supporters believe the upcoming Miami event could be the first tournament where TV ratings actually matter, especially on U.S. soil. However, history suggests otherwise—LIV’s viewership has consistently plummeted, with last year’s Chicago event pulling just 89,000 viewers, down from its debut 286,000.
To make matters worse, LIV has stopped publicly reporting TV ratings, a move that screams damage control. If Miami flops, it could signal the beginning of the end.
Merger Talks Falling Apart?
LIV’s lifeline may have been its merger talks with the PGA Tour, but even that appears to be crumbling. A White House meeting in February 2025, meant to finalize negotiations, reportedly ended with more questions than answers. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan kept details vague, while Rory McIlroy hinted at deeper issues, saying, “It takes two to tango.”
Then came a shocking twist—Donald Trump allegedly played a key role in LIV’s negotiations, adding another layer of controversy to an already tense situation.
Does LIV Still Have a Future?
Despite the drama, LIV still delivers great golf. Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC just dominated in Hong Kong, and Phil Mickelson had his best LIV finish yet. But without fans watching, can LIV truly survive?
The league has money, star power, and an innovative format, but it desperately needs viewers and legitimacy. If Miami doesn’t deliver, is LIV doomed to be a billion-dollar failure?
What do you think—is LIV Golf a sinking ship, or can Miami save it? Drop your thoughts below!