Tranlate this title Joaquin Niemann admits he could leave LIV Golf and try to return to PGA Tour in spanish

Joaquin Niemann admitted that the financial problems around LIV Golf did not completely surprise him as he continues to think about where he wants to play next season.

The Chilean has been one of LIV’s best players since leaving the PGA Tour in 2022. He has won nine individual events on the league and collected a lot of money during that period.

However, the situation around LIV changed this year after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to stop its financial support beyond the 2026 season.

Niemann said that decision was somewhat expected because of everything happening around the world and the amount of money needed to keep LIV competing with the PGA Tour.

«The truth is, it was somewhat predictable, because obviously around the world, putting golf aside, there’s everything that’s going on, the wars…

Saudi Arabia has been somewhat affected, and while the PIF is one of the most powerful investment funds in the world, there’s been that uncertainty about what’s going to happen outside of golf.

And knowing that golf is a tremendous expense for them, even though LIV was taking more shape, it still needed a lot of capital to be injected to be able to compete with the PGA Tour.»

LIV is now trying to move into a new period. The league entered a restructuring process in September and has been working with BC Partners as it looks toward 2027.

Under the proposed model, players would become majority equity holders and would have a direct financial interest in how much the league is worth in the future. LIV has also talked about a smaller schedule built around team events in different countries.

Niemann still undecided about LIV

The 27-year-old stressed that there are intelligent people working on LIV’s future, but that does not mean he has already decided to stay.

«And the truth is that I’m still undecided about what I’m going to do,» Niemann said.

«Whether I want to stay and believe in what the league has, or play more in Europe and from there try to get back onto the PGA Tour.

Those are my two options in the end. I’ll have to make a decision within a couple of weeks.»

Niemann had already confirmed in September that he had not signed anything for LIV’s 2027 season.

«No, nothing yet,» he said after finishing tied for 21st at the BMW PGA Championship.

The Chilean has a lot to consider. Becoming a shareholder could give him a reason to remain with LIV and wait to see if the new model grows over the next few years.

«I think both options have very positive aspects: being part of a league, owning a percentage of the league,» Niemann said.

«Knowing that it’s something that I think could take a couple of years, I don’t know if that’s something I want to take on at this stage of my career.

So those are questions I have to ask myself and then make a decision.»

The former PGA Tour winner added that there are still details he wants to understand before making a final call.

«There are still things that need to happen before I can make a decision like that 100 percent and tell you, ‘I’m going to do this or I’m going to do that.’

I still can’t make a decision.»

A PGA Tour return is another option

Niemann won twice on the PGA Tour before joining LIV Golf, and returning to the American circuit is something he has not ruled out.

The Chilean claimed that neither he nor his representatives have contacted the PGA Tour about a possible return.

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp recently stressed that another special returning-member program is not currently planned. Brooks Koepka used a similar route when he left LIV Golf and returned to the PGA Tour.

«They have their rules, and the truth is that there’s nothing that can be done,» Niemann said.

«Obviously, if they can open a door for me somehow, that would be incredible.

And if not, a door will open at some point.

In the end, they’re going to need good players, and competition ultimately requires having the best players together.»

Niemann has continued playing some events outside LIV through his access to the DP World Tour. That could become more important if he decides that his long-term goal is getting back to the PGA Tour.

The nine-time LIV winner has also improved his results in Grand Slam tournaments. His best finish so far was a tie for seventh at the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

LIV, meanwhile, is trying to secure enough player support to move ahead with its plans for 2027. Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith are among other well-known players who have also publicly spoken about uncertainty over their futures.