LIV Golf promised to revolutionize professional golf. Four years later, the Saudi-backed league is bankrupt, its biggest stars are heading for the exits, and its executives collected millions while the operation was falling apart.

Not exactly the revolution anyone envisioned.

With Sunday’s Oct. 25 deadline approaching, LIV Golf’s attempted resurrection is looking increasingly desperate. Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Louis Oosthuizen are among the prominent names abandoning a circuit that once used enormous guaranteed contracts to lure players away from the PGA Tour.

And they’re hardly alone.

Abraham Ancer, Branden Grace, Charles Howell III, David Puig, Lucas Herbert, Thomas Pieters and Tom McKibbin have also been identified among the departing players.

Meanwhile, only four golfers have publicly committed to sticking around: Richard Bland, Cameron Tringale, Brendan Steele and Ben Campbell.

That’s hardly a roster capable of convincing skeptical golf fans that LIV Golf remains a serious threat to the established tours.

Even worse, the financial revelations surrounding the league’s bankruptcy are staggering.

Court documents show LIV Golf paid approximately $15.6 million in executive retention bonuses before filing for Chapter 11 protection Sept. 8.

CEO Scott O’Neil received a $6.375 million retention payment in June, following another bonus of approximately $2.7 million in February.

His total compensation, benefits and reimbursements exceeded $13.6 million over roughly 12 months.

All while the league was approaching bankruptcy and leaving substantial obligations unpaid.

Former commissioner Greg Norman also received more than $9.4 million upon his departure in 2025.

The contrast is difficult to ignore: Executives collected extraordinary compensation while the financial foundation supporting professional golf’s most expensive experiment disintegrated.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which poured billions into the venture, ended its financial backing after the 2026 season.

Now investment firm BC Partners Credit is attempting to salvage the operation through a proposed $300 million financing package.

The so-called LIV 2.0 would feature a reduced schedule, smaller financial commitments and majority player ownership.

But ownership in a financially troubled league doesn’t mean much without a credible business model.

And losing Rahm, Hatton and other recognizable competitors makes attracting sponsors, broadcasters and paying customers considerably harder.

The unresolved futures of Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann only deepen the uncertainty.

LIV’s bankruptcy attorneys have indicated a decision on whether to proceed with restructuring or shut down could arrive before October ends.

For all the grand promises about changing golf forever, LIV is now fighting simply to exist.

And the harshest reality might be this:

The players who made LIV Golf relevant are leaving. The executives already got paid. And the investors must decide whether there’s anything worth saving.