LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil Received $13.6 Million Before Chapter 11 Filing

LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil received more than $13.6 million in payroll, bonuses, benefits, retention payments and expense reimbursements before the league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 8, according to court documents filed October 22. Yahoo reported the figures from LIV Golf's statement of financial affairs in U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey.

O'Neil's Pay and Norman's Exit

O'Neil succeeded Greg Norman, who was paid more than $9.4 million when he left LIV in September 2025, a settlement of about $5.8 million and a $3.6 million bonus. O'Neil received a $6.375 million retention bonus on June 24 after another bonus of about $2.7 million on February 13. In all, LIV paid $15.6 million in retention payments to executives.

LIV owes contractors and vendors more than $4 million for work this year, which has led to several lawsuits. Fresh Tape Media, which produced LIV's preseason media days in January at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, is seeking $1.23 million. LIV has indicated it had between $100 million and $500 million in assets and $500 million to $1 billion in liabilities. In April 2026, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund informed LIV it would end its financial backing of the league after the conclusion of the 2026 season.

LIV Golf's Restructuring Records

LIV Golf retained Ducera Partners LLC as investment banking advisor in May 2026 to lead a $250–350 million capital raise from private equity, family offices, high-net-worth individuals and media companies to replace PIF as the controlling backer, according to akta.pro company records. The same records show LIV appointed corporate restructuring executives Gene Davis and Jon Zinman as new independent directors, and PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down as chairman. LIV also initiated contingency planning for a potential Chapter 11 filing in the United States and announced plans to relocate its headquarters there.

Player Exits Before the Deadline

Jon Rahm agreed to leave LIV Golf in October 2026, giving up his remaining financial claims including over $100 million owed under his $350 million contract, with court approval scheduled for November 5, Yahoo reported. Ian Poulter confirmed on October 23, 2026, that he will not join LIV Golf's proposed 2.0 tour, citing family time and senior golf focus, Yahoo reported. Louis Oosthuizen said on October 21, 2026, that he is leaving LIV Golf, citing the need for a stable schedule and reduced travel, Devdiscourse reported.

Decision Deadline and Hatton's Exit

LIV is deciding whether it will go forward with LIV 2.0 or cease operations, and a LIV attorney said that decision should come by end of the month. Tyrell Hatton, who joined in January 2024, confirmed Friday he is leaving LIV. "Wanted to confirm that I will not be a part of LIV 2.0," Hatton wrote on Instagram. "A big thank you to everyone for their continued support. I am excited for what the next chapter of my career holds."