What is LIV Golf? Whisper that question in certain fairways, and you’ll spark a debate that might last longer than a twilight round.
If your caddie forgot to brief you, here’s the inside scoop on the upstart tour that’s shaken the golf world to its very spikes.
Origin & Funding
LIV Golf arrived as a Saudi-backed rival to the PGA Tour, originally touted in 2019 under the “Premier Golf League” banner.
When that plan went sideways, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) stepped in with a hefty bankroll, founding LIV Golf Investments in October 2021 and installing former world No. 1 Greg Norman as CEO.
PIF’s deep pockets (it’s the majority shareholder) are legendary—just ask the Asian Tour, which got an initial $200 million commitment.
For many observers, it’s a clear sign of Saudi Arabia’s ambition to reshape golf while boosting its global image.
Name & Concept
The name “LIV” is a nod to the Roman numeral for 54, reflecting the league’s signature 54-hole format (in contrast to the traditional 72 holes on other tours).
A typical LIV event runs three rounds instead of four, has no cut, and offers a breezier pace of play—hence the bold slogan: “Golf, But Louder.”
Think shorter tournaments, team competitions, and a splashy, fan-oriented vibe that aims to modernise a sport not exactly known for breakneck innovation.
The Launch of LIV Golf
LIV’s first tee shot was fired in June 2022 at the Centurion Club near London. Forty-eight players, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio García, chased a jaw-dropping $25 million purse—unheard of in professional golf.
South African Charl Schwartzel triumphed at that maiden event, while Greg Norman touted LIV as a chance for players to achieve “free agency” and compete globally.
Key Players & Teams
From day one, LIV Golf spared no expense in snagging top-tier talent.
Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson reportedly signed on for sums north of $100 million each, with other major winners like Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio García, Patrick Reed, Cameron Smith, and Henrik Stenson soon joining the fray.
The real head-turner came in 2024 when Jon Rahm—fresh off major championship glory—made the leap.
Then there’s the team concept: 12 four-man squads (set to become 13 in 2025), each helmed by a star captain who can recruit and trade players. Dustin Johnson (4Aces GC), Brooks Koepka (Smash GC), Bryson DeChambeau (Crushers GC), Phil Mickelson (HyFlyers GC), and Cameron Smith (Ripper GC) all lead their own crews, adding a new strategic layer to each tournament.
Expansion & Evolution
By 2025, the league will swell to 13 teams and tweak scoring (counting all four players’ rounds) to tighten competition.
Rumour has it more tournaments are coming, especially in Latin America, while the Asian Tour’s International Series could become a key feeder system for LIV.
The overarching idea: ramp up the global footprint and keep the format fresh.
Format of Team Play
Every LIV event features 54-hole individual stroke play, with each golfer’s daily score feeding a team total.
Early rounds usually count the best two scores per squad; the final round might count three.
At season’s end, the top teams square off in a match-play bracket—singles or alternate-shot showdowns—until a final match determines the champion.
In 2022, 4Aces GC dominated, with Dustin Johnson scooping the team title while also claiming the individual crown.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC took top honours in 2023, and Jon Rahm’s surprise switch helped him capture the 2024 season-long points race.
Format & Structure of LIV Golf
Each LIV event is 54 holes, with no one sent packing early. All players start at the same time (a shotgun start), so there’s non-stop action for four or five hours—not the usual dawn-till-dusk affair.
The 2022 launch featured 8 events, expanding to 14 by 2023 and beyond. Every tournament offers both individual and team prizes, with a typical $25 million purse up for grabs.
Although LIV has a “league” feel, with contracted players and guaranteed checks, it currently doesn’t award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points due to its smaller fields and no-cut format—leading some LIV stars to tumble down the rankings.
Innovations
From music blaring at tournaments to the introduction of mid-season trades and a relegation system, LIV Golf has aimed for a livelier, younger crowd.
Bottom-finishers risk losing their spots, while a Promotions event allows new players to jump in—mimicking franchise-style sports more than the typical Q-school path.
No matter how you slice it, it’s a reinvention of how pro golf can be structured.
Current Status & Future Outlook
At the start of 2025, LIV is still forging ahead with a full schedule, fresh venues, and new leadership—Greg Norman exited in January 2025, making way for sports exec Scott O’Neil as CEO.
Amid the shifting landscape, Jon Rahm’s signing showed LIV still has pull among top-tier players.
On the media front, after a lukewarm U.S. broadcast debut on The CW, LIV locked in a multi-year deal with FOX Sports from 2025 onward.
Across the pond, ITV is streaming events on ITVX, with select rounds airing on free-to-air channels.
So, what is LIV Golf in the grand scheme? It’s a catalyst for change—controversial, perhaps, but undeniably transformative.
The tour’s eye-popping payouts forced traditional golf bodies to adapt, raised tricky questions about the intersection of sports and global politics, and introduced a team format that’s captured imaginations beyond the usual Sunday leaderboard watchers.
Whether LIV Golf endures, mutates, or eventually merges into the larger golf arena, its thunderclap debut will echo for seasons to come.
