LIV Golf’s new chief executive, Scott O’Neil, says he is excited about the future of the golf league and believes it is making strong progress. O’Neil spoke confidently about what is coming next for LIV Golf during a press conference at the end of the league’s media week in Florida.
O’Neil said UEFA Golf is pushing limits and trying new ideas as fast as it can. He expressed surprise at how much the league has achieved in his first year leading the organisation, and said that success shows the strength of the team working behind the scenes.
He said LIV Golf is the top golf league outside the United States and called it ‘the world’s golf league. This name reflects LIV Golf’s new global aim and its effort to build an international presence beyond traditional golf tours.
O’Neil’s positive future view came just a day after top players Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Cam Smith made it clear they are planning to stay with LIV Golf instead of returning to the PGA Tour. Rahm, Smith, and DeChambeau said they are committed to the league, focusing on defending titles and fulfilling their contracts. The LIV Golf boss also noted that his relationship with leaders from other major golf groups has been welcoming. He said officials from groups like the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have received him warmly, showing respect and cooperation between different parts of the golf world.
LIV Golf is in its fourth season and is continuing to grow its worldwide presence. The league will host a 14‑event schedule in 10 countries in 2026. This growth shows LIV Golf’s focus on reaching fans and players around the world rather than staying limited to one region.
In 2025, LIV Golf introduced another major change by moving from a 54‑hole tournament format to a traditional 72‑hole event format in 2026. This shift brings the league’s structure closer to that of established golf tours and may improve its chances of gaining worldwide recognition in the professional golf community.
O’Neil also highlighted the strong commercial progress LIV Golf has achieved. He said the league is likely to sell out premium hospitality seating for the events this year, showing high demand from fans willing to pay for a premium experience at LIV tournaments.
The CEO said having many star players on the league’s team is one of the major reason to be confident for good results. With major champions such as Rahm, Smith, and DeChambeau committed to the league, LIV Golf believes it can attract audiences and build long‑term interest in its events.
Even with hopeful worlds, O’Neil also acknowledged that talks with the PGA Tour are continuing, even though no deal has been finalized yet. He said the two organisations are still in “informal conversations,” and he believes there are good business opportunities , though nothing is agreed at this point.
Under O’Neil’s leadership, LIV Golf has also announced expansions to other regions, including a new event in South Africa starting in 2026. This shows the league’s push to make its presence truly global and engage fans around the world.
O’Neil said he is looking forward to what’s coming in the future for LIV Golf. He described the task of leading the league as both challenging and exciting, and he believes the organisation’s progress reflects its commitment to growth, innovation, and international reach.
