LIV Golf's inaugural tournament in New Orleans, originally scheduled for the end of June, is likely to be postponed until the autumn, according to multiple local reports. The Bayou Oaks event at City Park, planned for late June, is being moved to later in the year, as reported by New Orleans television station WDSU and nola.com.
Expected Announcement
An announcement by LIV Golf and the Louisiana Economic Development agency was expected on Tuesday. The swap would mean that LIV Golf would not have any tournaments in the United States for a three-month period, from the event in northern Virginia on 7-10 May at Trump National until the 6-9 August event at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.
Background on Funding Concerns
The development comes two weeks after LIV Golf's CEO, Scott O'Neil, assured staff and players that the season would continue "uninterrupted and at full throttle." O'Neil was responding to speculation that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia would no longer provide financial support to a league that has already spent more than $5bn (£3.7bn) since it began in 2022.
Reasons for Postponement
LIV Golf is said to be looking to move the New Orleans event to the autumn to avoid peak summer temperatures, ensure the course is in championship shape, and to avoid attendance and viewership conflicts with the World Cup. However, New Orleans is not hosting any World Cup matches.
Financial Details
Louisiana officials stated last August, when the tournament was announced, that they had agreed to pay LIV Golf $5m and spend an additional $2.2m on improvements to the Bayou Oaks course in City Park. WDSU reported that Louisiana will be repaid $1m, which the state had already paid to LIV in advance of the tournament.
