LIV Golf’s debut event in New Orleans, set for the end of June, is likely to be rescheduled for the autumn, as per various sources. Reports from New Orleans TV station WDSU and Nola.com indicated on Monday that the event, initially planned for June 25-28 at Bayou Oaks in City Park, would be moved to a later date.
An official announcement from LIV Golf and the Louisiana Economic Development was anticipated to be made on Tuesday. If postponed, this would result in a three-month gap in LIV Golf’s U.S. tournament schedule, from the May 7-10 event in northern Virginia at Trump National to the August 6-9 tournament at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.
The decision follows recent assurances given by LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil to staff and players that the season would proceed as planned. Speculations arose regarding the league’s financial backing from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which has already invested over $5 billion since its inception in 2022.
Allegedly, LIV Golf is considering moving the New Orleans event to the fall to avoid extreme summer temperatures, ensure optimal course conditions, and prevent scheduling conflicts with the World Cup. Notably, New Orleans is not a host city for any World Cup matches.
Last August, Louisiana officials had announced their agreement to provide $5 million to LIV Golf and allocate an additional $2.2 million for enhancements to the Bayou Oaks course at City Park. WDSU reported that Louisiana will be reimbursed $1 million, which had been paid in advance to LIV for the tournament.