Golf and politics intersected at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster during the final round of LIV Golf New York on August 9, 2026.
President Donald Trump attended the event and addressed a group in the player-dining area before play. Later, his helicopter’s departure briefly halted play on the 18th hole as the final group prepared to hit their approach shots.
The weekend also featured an appearance by Saudi PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan as LIV Golf faced continuing questions about future funding, player commitments, and its planned transition beyond the 2026 season.
A helicopter halts play at Bedminster
President Trump attended the final round of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on August 9, 2026.
As Joaquin Niemann’s final group prepared to play its approach shots into the 18th green, one of the president’s helicopters flew up the hole and landed behind the corporate suite. Play stopped for roughly a minute while the group waited.
As Trump later departed, Eric Trump pumped his fist and waved while Crushers GC captain Bryson DeChambeau gave a thumbs-up. Niemann won the individual title at Bedminster, while DeChambeau’s Crushers won the team competition.
Trump’s pre-round speech draws attention
Before the final round began, Trump addressed a large group in the player-dining area and spent part of his remarks praising golf legend Gary Player.
A video shared by the golf account Flushing It showed Trump speaking to the group and was later deleted from that account.
The appearance came amid broader workforce uncertainty at LIV Golf. The league had warned employees in July that potential layoffs could occur as it pursued new investment and prepared for a restructuring beyond 2026.
A Saudi official returns to the scene
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, appeared at Bedminster during the LIV Golf New York weekend. GOLF.com reported that it was believed to be his first LIV event since the 2026 season opener in Riyadh.
His appearance drew attention because PIF had announced in April that it would end its financial support for LIV after the 2026 season, saying the league’s longer-term investment no longer fit its current strategy.
DeChambeau said he believed Al-Rumayyan needed to have conversations with President Trump and added that he would not get involved in those discussions.
Players face uncertainty over LIV’s future
LIV players met for about 90 minutes in a closed-door session at Bedminster earlier that week to discuss the league’s future. Most declined to speak with waiting reporters afterward, while the players who did comment described the mood as generally positive but said important details still needed to be finalized.
Questions remained over future investment, player commitments, and whether the scheduled Michigan Team Championship would take place. Richard Bland said the next 2 to 3 weeks would be important in providing greater clarity.
Little-known fact: At Winged Foot Golf Club, where Trump is a member, caddies reportedly got so used to watching him kick his ball back onto the fairway that they gave him the nickname “Pelé.”
DeChambeau walks a careful diplomatic line
DeChambeau captained Crushers GC to the team title at LIV Golf New York and later answered questions about the league’s prospective new investor.
He said the investor had a “new and fresh vision” for LIV but did not identify the investor or provide detailed financial terms. LIV has not officially confirmed reports linking the prospective financing to BC Partners Credit.
DeChambeau also praised Al-Rumayyan’s support for golf and said he did not know what role PIF might play as LIV moves toward a new investment structure.
A mystery investor adds to the uncertainty
Days before Trump’s Sunday appearance, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said an unnamed lead investor had signed a term sheet approved by LIV’s board to support the league beyond 2026. O’Neil said he hoped to finalize the terms in September.
Bloomberg and the Financial Times linked the prospective financing to BC Partners Credit. GOLF.com reported that Ted Goldthorpe, the head of BC Partners Credit, walked the final few holes at Bedminster alongside O’Neil.
The financing had not been finalized as of August 11. GOLF.com, citing the Financial Times, reported that completion depended in part on potential investors receiving assurances that enough of LIV’s marquee players would remain with the league.
Job cuts loom as financial pressure builds
LIV Golf’s finances remain under pressure. The Washington Post reported that PIF had been spending roughly $100 million per month on LIV in recent years, while the league’s U.K.-based entity reported a $461.8 million loss for 2024.
LIV Golf also warned employees in July that layoffs could be coming as the league sought investment to support operations beyond 2026.
The planned Michigan Team Championship remains uncertain. AP reported serious doubts over whether the August 27–30 event would be played and said LIV had not announced a final formal decision.
What this means for LIV’s future
O’Neil said LIV’s planned next phase would feature 10 team events each year, with five in the United States and five at international venues. AP reported that the current $20 million individual-event prize funds would have to be substantially reduced.
O’Neil also said players would become majority equity holders under the new structure as LIV shifts away from relying on a single primary financial backer.
The league is seeking new long-term capital after PIF announced that its financial support would end after the 2026 season.
Little-known fact: Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, sits on the former estate of John DeLorean, the car maker behind the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future.
TL;DR
- Trump attended LIV Golf New York at Bedminster on August 9, 2026, and his helicopter departure briefly halted play on the 18th hole. Before the final round, Trump addressed a group in the player-dining area and praised Gary Player.
- A video of his appearance shared by the golf account Flushing was later deleted.
- PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan appeared at Bedminster after the fund had announced that it would end LIV Golf financing after the 2026 season.
- DeChambeau praised the prospective new investor’s vision without identifying the investor.
- Reports have linked the possible financing to BC Partners Credit, but LIV has not officially confirmed that connection.
If you liked this story, don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
If you liked this, you might also like:
