LIV Golf

LIV Golf
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2024 LIV Golf League
SportGolf
Founded2021
First season2022
Owner(s)Public Investment Fund
CEOGreg Norman
CountriesBased internationally
Most titlesTournament wins:
United States Brooks Koepka (5)
TV partner(s)
Official websitewww.livgolf.com Edit this at Wikidata

LIV Golf (/lɪv/ LIV) is a professional men's golf tour. The name "LIV" refers to the Roman numerals for 54, the number of holes played at LIV events.[1] The first LIV Golf Invitational Series event started on 9 June 2022, at the Centurion Club near St Albans in Hertfordshire, UK. The Invitational Series became the LIV Golf League in 2023.

LIV Golf is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Some journalists and commentators have said the tour is part of efforts by the Saudi monarchy, which has been criticized for its corruption and human rights abuses, to improve its public image through sports.[2][3][4][5][6]

Organization

Greg Norman, Chief Executive Officer of LIV Golf.

The early framework for a new golf tour to rival the PGA Tour became public in 2019 with announcement of a league to be known as the Premier Golf League.[7][8] PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan responded by implying that golfers who choose to play in a new league would be barred from PGA Tour events.[9] Later in 2020, the PGA European Tour and the PGA Tour formed a "strategic alliance" to work together on commercial opportunities, scheduling, and prize funds for each tour's membership.[10]

The Premier Golf League held talks with Saudi investors about a financial partnership,[11] but Golf Saudi (a division of the Public Investment Fund) instead funded a new entity in 2020 which had its own plan to establish a global professional league,[12] often referred to as the "Super Golf League". This entity formally launched in October 2021 as LIV Golf Investments,[8] with former professional golfer Greg Norman named as CEO.[12]

LIV Golf has often been described as the golfing equivalent to the dormant breakaway European Super League in football.[13][14][15][16][17]

In July 2022, LIV Golf formally applied to be included in the Official World Golf Ranking, a process which typically takes between a year and two years from application submission to approval and awarding of OWGR points.[18] In October 2022, LIV Golf entered into a "strategic alliance" with the MENA Tour. The arrangement was conceived in order to immediately afford LIV Golf events ranking points;[19] however, it was subsequently confirmed that events in 2022 would not receive points as changes to the MENA Tour would need to be reviewed.[20][21] In a March 2024 letter to players, the league's CEO, Greg Norman, advised that LIV would no longer pursue its bid for world ranking points.[22]

League structure

The inaugural season of the LIV Golf Invitational Series featured eight 54-hole no-cut stroke play tournaments and a final Team Championship, set to be a "seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out" event held at Trump National Doral Miami in October 2022.[23][24]

In June 2022, it was reported that LIV Golf would evolve the following year into a league format with a 14-event schedule and 48 contracted players.[25] On 27 July 2022, Norman announced that LIV Golf would implement a promotion and relegation system, featuring a rankings list and a four-player relegation out of the 48 contracted players.[26][27] The league has a prize fund of $405 million. Its events are scheduled to avoid conflicting with major championships, the PGA Tour's premier tournaments, and international team events.[28]

Broadcasting rights

The 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

In June 2022, LIV Golf signed a worldwide broadcasting deal with video streaming service DAZN. Additional deals were signed the following months, including ServusTV in Germany and Austria, Eleven Sports in Italy, Claro Sports in Latin America, GameTV nationally across Canada and CHCH-TV in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

United States

See also: CW Sports § CW Sports-only affiliates

In January 2023, LIV signed their first national broadcasting deal in the United States with The CW, a broadcast network controlled by Nexstar Media Group.[29] While the network has secured full national distribution for these telecasts, in many media markets—including those where the CW network affiliates were owned by CBS News and Stations (as CBS Sports is a rightsholder of the PGA Tour) or are owned by Tegna and Lilly Broadcasting—the network had to find alternate affiliates to carry the telecasts, including several other Nexstar-owned stations.[30][31]

Player signups

On 1 June 2022, the field was released for the first event, to be played at the Centurion Club. The list included former world number ones Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood, as well as former major champions Sergio García, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel.[32] One source said Johnson – winner of two major championships and a former World No. 1 – was paid US$150 million to play in the LIV series.[33] Johnson, who had won 24 PGA events and $74 million since 2008, announced his resignation from the PGA Tour on 7 June 2022,[34] saying, "I chose what's best for me and my family."[35] Ian Poulter was reportedly offered £22 million (US$30 million) to join the league.[36] Lee Westwood said that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement relating to the topic.[37]

On 4 June 2022, Kevin Na became the first member of the PGA Tour to resign to participate in LIV Golf, saying, "If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour.... I hope the current policies change and I'll be able to play on the PGA Tour again."[38] Reigning U.S. Amateur champion James Piot, who turned professional in May 2022, chose to play in the first LIV Golf tournament without having joined the PGA Tour.[39]

In a Washington Post interview published on 5 June 2022, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said that Tiger Woods had declined to join, turning down a deal that was "mind-blowingly enormous; we're talking about high nine digits."[40][41]

Before the second event in Portland, LIV Golf announced further signings, including several players in the top-50 of the world rankings, and three more major champions: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Patrick Reed. During that event, it was announced that Paul Casey would play in the third event in Bedminster. Further signings before Bedminster included European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson, who was removed from the role before the move was announced.[42] In August 2022, before the fourth event in Boston, LIV Golf announced that six more players had joined, including Open champion and world number two Cameron Smith and Chilean world number 19 Joaquín Niemann.[43]

After 2022, LIV Golf continued recruiting new players for its golf league. Before the 2023 LIV Golf League, Danny Lee, Thomas Pieters, Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz were among the players who joined the circuit. No new signings were announced during the 2023 season. In December 2023, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm signed with LIV Golf and was given ownership in a new expansion team, later named Legion XIII. To fill his team, Rahm signed Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt to LIV Golf, along with adding Kieran Vincent, who gained membership via the 2023 LIV Golf Promotions event.

Reaction

LIV Golf is financed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Some journalists and commentators have said the tour is part of efforts by the Saudi monarchy, which has been criticized for its corruption and human rights abuses, to improve its public image through sports.[44][45][46][47][48]

Human rights groups have criticized LIV Golf as sportswashing, a political strategy by Saudi Arabia to cleanse its repressive global image[49] through sport.[50] Human Rights Watch called the Saudi endeavour "an effort to distract from its serious human rights abuses by taking over events that celebrate human achievement".[51]

Greg Norman has been accused of aiding the repressive Saudi government for his own financial gain.[52] In 2021, Norman denied that he was being used for sportswashing and said he works for LIV because of his passion for the sport.[53] Later, in May 2022, Norman defended the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Jamal Khashoggi's murder, saying, "Look, we've all made mistakes, and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward." His statement drew extensive criticism. Khashoggi's fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, said it was hurtful that "Jamal's brutal killing is brushed off as a 'mistake' and that we should just move on".[54][55]

On 22 June 2022, a group of nearly 2,500 survivors of family members killed or injured during the September 11 attacks wrote an open letter to golfers who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour thanking them for not defecting to LIV Golf. The letter read in part, "Thank you for standing up for decency. Thank you for standing up for the 9/11 Families. Thank you for resisting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts to cleanse its reputation by buying off professional athletes...To those of you who have chosen what is right over blood money from a corrupt, destructive sports entity and its Saudi backers, please continue to stand strong."[56] On 17 July 2022, a group of September 11 victims' family members condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump for hosting the LIV Golf tour at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey; the group's letter to Trump noted that he himself had blamed Saudi Arabia for the 9/11 attack during a 2016 interview on Fox News.[57]

Tiger Woods, who turned down an offer of $700 million to $800 million to join LIV Golf,[58] was asked in July 2022 about the golfers who had joined. "I disagree with it. I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position," Woods said at a press conference before the 2022 Open Championship. "I know what the PGA Tour stands for and what we have done and what the tour has given us, the ability to chase after our careers and to earn what we get and the trophies we have been able to play for and the history that has been a part of this game."[59]

PGA Tour

The PGA Tour announced that its members who participate in LIV Golf events could be sanctioned for playing in a conflicting event without the Tour's permission,[60] which could result in fines, suspensions, or bans.[38] On 9 June 2022, the PGA Tour announced that its members participating in the first LIV Golf tournament (including current members as well as those who had recently resigned) were no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup.[61] By contrast, the constitution of the European Tour does not provide for banning players who enter conflicting events.[62]

On 11 July 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States Department of Justice was investigating the PGA Tour to determine if they have engaged in anti-competitive behavior with LIV Golf.[63] In August 2022, LIV Golf and several players brought an antitrust civil suit against the PGA Tour,[64] which countersued that LIV Golf was encouraging PGA players to break their existing contracts.[65] Jury selection for the upcoming trial was scheduled to take place in January 2024.[66]

In September 2022, Sports Illustrated reported that the PGA Tour had sent letters to Japan Golf Tour members notifying them that the PGA Tour would exclude LIV Golf players from their co-sanctioned events, such as the Zozo Championship, even if they were not members of the PGA Tour.[67] Sports Illustrated speculated that the letters were the reason that all four Japanese players who had played in earlier events had withdrawn from the series prior to the fourth event in Boston, reporting that the letters had been sent to PGA Tour members who had joined LIV Golf but not resigned their membership of the PGA Tour advising them that their membership would "not be renewed for the 2022–23 season".[68]

European Tour

In June 2022, the PGA and European tours announced a strengthening of their "strategic alliance", with the PGA Tour increasing their stake in European Tour Productions to 40% and further changes being made to the European Tour, including increased prize funds and leading players in the DP World Tour Rankings gaining PGA Tour cards for the following season.[69]

The European Tour did not take any disciplinary action until the end of June, when it was announced that LIV Golf participants would be fined and suspended from the European Tour's three PGA Tour co-sanctioned events.[70] Several players, including Ian Poulter, took legal action and the suspensions were put on hold, allowing them to play in the Genesis Scottish Open and subsequent tour events pending a full hearing,[71] which was scheduled by Sport Resolutions UK for February 2023.[72] On 20 June 2022, the tour removed Henrik Stenson as captain of the European Ryder Cup team as a result of his decision to join LIV Golf.[73]

Proposed merger of commercial rights of LIV, PGA and European Tours

On 6 June 2023, LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and PGA European Tour announced that the three organizations would pool their commercial rights into a new for-profit venture, which would be funded by the Public Investment Fund. The announcement stated that the merger is intended to "unify the game of golf on a global basis" and "ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that delivers maximum excitement and competition among the game's best players." Current PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will serve as CEO of the new entity, with Yasir Al-Rumayyan as chairman, and the PGA Tour appointing the majority of its board. All three tours will maintain administrative oversight and sanctioning of their events. This agreement ends all existing litigation, and there are plans for a "fair and objective process for any players who desire to re-apply for membership".[74][75][76][77] The agreement was controversial among some PGA Tour players.[78][79]

The deadline for completing the deal was December 31, 2023, although it was reported that the parties were attempting to negotiate an extension.[80] On January 31, 2024, the PGA Tour announced an investment into its for-profit arm—PGA Tour Enterprises—by a Fenway Sports Group-backed consortium of U.S. professional sports owners. Strategic Sports Group would pay $1.5 billion initially, and then a second $1.5 billion following the conclusion of negotiations between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund. In addition, active players would be given an opportunity to receive grants of equity in PGA Tour Enterprises.[81][82]

Trademark issues

In March 2023, LIV Miami—a David Grutman-founded nightclub that is among the highest grossing in the United States—filed a Notice of Opposition seeking to block a U.S. trademark registration by LIV Golf, citing that its marks "are visually, phonetically, and aurally similar and the goods/services share similarities", and that it would "dilute the distinctive quality" of its brand. LIV in Miami opened in 2008, with its name referring to its location—the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel—having originally opened in 1954.[83][84]

LIV Golf seasons

2022 season

Main article: 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series

On 17 March 2022, the first eight tournament schedule with prize money of $255 million was announced by Greg Norman. The no cut 54-hole tournaments feature 48 players drafted into 12 four-man teams, with shotgun starts. The first seven events have $20 million purses with an additional $5 million split among the top three teams each week; a team championship concludes the schedule with $30 million on offer to the top three players and an additional $50 million in team prizes.[85][86][87]

2023 season

Main article: 2023 LIV Golf League

The season was renamed as the LIV Golf League for the 2023 season having previously been the LIV Golf Invitational Series. In January 2023, the schedule for the second LIV Golf season was released.[88] The season consisted of 14 no cut 54-hole tournaments.[89][90] There were several different locations and golf courses in the 2023 season, including new venues in the U.S., Mexico, Singapore, and Australia.[88][91] The individual championship was won by Talor Gooch and the team championship was won by Crushers GC.[92][93]

2024 season

Main article: 2024 LIV Golf League

The 2024 season began in February 2024. The season consists again of 14 no cut 54-hole tournaments. New locations on the schedule for the season will include West Virginia, Nashville, Las Vegas, Houston, and Hong Kong. At the end of the season, a new individual championship will be held, in addition to the team championship that has been held each of the first two seasons.[94] As of 11 December 2023, details about the format of the individual championship have not been released. Newcomers for the 2024 season include PGA Tour winner Tyrell Hatton and two-time major champion Jon Rahm.[95][96]

Points and money list winners

Season Individual points list Points Team champions Points Money list Prize money ($)
2024 Spain Jon Rahm 235 Ripper GC[a] 151 Spain Jon Rahm 34,737,904
2023 United States Talor Gooch 192 Crushers GC[b] 186 United States Talor Gooch 35,320,012
2022 United States Dustin Johnson 135 4Aces GC[c] 152 United States Dustin Johnson 35,637,767

Career money leaders

The top ten career money leaders on the tour, after the 2023 season, are as follows:[97][98]

Position Player Prize money ($)
1 United States Talor Gooch 46,494,512
2 United States Dustin Johnson 44,440,184
3 United States Brooks Koepka 25,946,933
4 Australia Cameron Smith 25,533,917
5 South Africa Branden Grace 25,362,083
6 United States Patrick Reed 20,419,547
7 United States Peter Uihlein 19,426,416
8 United States Bryson DeChambeau 18,246,750
9 India Anirban Lahiri 13,987,250
10 Spain Sergio García 12,790,917

The figures above include all prize money won by the golfers, including individual winnings, team earnings, and bonuses earned based on their finish in the individual and team standings. It does not include other money earned as part of their contracts with their teams and LIV Golf.

Notes

  1. ^ Lucas Herbert, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith (c)
  2. ^ Paul Casey, Bryson DeChambeau (c), Charles Howell III and Anirban Lahiri
  3. ^ Talor Gooch, Dustin Johnson (c), Pat Perez and Patrick Reed

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