The LIV Golf League Tees Off Thursday, Here’s What You Need To Know About It

In recent times, the golf world hasn’t witnessed something as captivating as LIV Golf, regardless of whether it’s perceived as positive or negative.

This week marks the debut of the Saudi-backed league in London, which was established as a competitive alternative to the PGA Tour.

Despite the predominantly negative attention surrounding LIV, the organization has managed to secure substantial funding and successfully attract a handful of players from the PGA. Additionally, they have recently acquired a renowned local talent, James Piot.

Included in this article are all the essential details about the LIV Golf League, along with valuable input from three golf media professionals based in Michigan.

What is the LIV Golf League?

The reason behind naming the LIV Golf League as such is that LIV corresponds to the Roman numeral for 54. This numeral signifies the exact number of holes that will be played during their events. Additionally, it symbolizes the score a golfer would achieve if they birdied every single hole on a par-72 course.

Funding

Dubbed the “Saudi Golf League,” this initiative is commonly associated with its funding source, the Public Investment Fund, which essentially represents a financial arm of the Saudi Arabian government.

The league and its participants have faced significant criticism due to their association with the Saudi regime. A notable incident occurred in 2018 when Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence agencies attributed the approval of the operation to Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman. This is just one instance among numerous human rights violations linked to the Saudi government.

When asked about partnering with the Saudis, Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf Investments and the prominent representative of the new league, acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes and emphasized the importance of learning from those mistakes and finding ways to rectify them moving forward.

Bill Hobson, Executive Producer of Michigan Golf Live, expressed his initial thoughts on the matter, stating that he has no issue with someone competing with the PGA Tour and providing an alternative for players, as competition fosters improvement. He compares it to having only one restaurant or car manufacturer, highlighting the benefits of having choices. However, Hobson voices his concern regarding the source of funding and criticizes Greg Norman for partnering with a murderous regime. He asserts that such individuals are not suitable business partners.

PGA Tour’s reaction

Any PGA Tour member who participates in the LIV Golf League will face suspension or potential expulsion, as guaranteed by PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

Although it might affect their ability to participate in the PGA Championship or Ryder Cup, it would still make them eligible to compete in the remaining major championships.

Mike Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Brand25 Media LLC, expressed his desire for the PGA Tour to be slightly more above the issues they have been facing. He suggested that they should stop complaining and instead focus on the reasons why golfers are participating in the tour. Sullivan acknowledged that the significant paychecks offered by the tour are a major motivation for the players, but he also highlighted their dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the tour. He believed that this combination of financial gain and discontent contributes to the players’ current situation.

If eligible, the USGA declared on Tuesday that the LIV competitors would be permitted to participate in the upcoming U.S. Open.

No TV deal as of yet

Securing sponsorships and a television partner has proven to be challenging for the league.

Tony Paul, a staff writer for the Detroit News, stated that the lack of a TV partner for them signifies a lack of interest from broadcasters. Many individuals compare this tour to earning profit from an unethical source.

Despite not having a current television deal, the league will stream the play on YouTube, Facebook, and LIVGolf.com. The coverage of the opening tournament is set to start at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Who is playing in the LIV Golf League?

LIV Golf has been making generous offers to PGA Tour members, with Norman revealing that they extended a high nine-digit offer to Tiger Woods. However, the majority of players have turned down these offers.

Although the league may not have a substantial amount of talent, it still attracts notable figures.

Former PGA Tour players have opted to depart for the Saudi-backed league, enticed by greater financial rewards and a more relaxed timetable.

Dustin Johnson commits

Dustin Johnson, currently ranked 15th in the world, was previously at the top spot as No. 1 last year.

According to Paul, Dustin Johnson is undeniably the prominent figure representing the Saudi Tour. Paul noted that Johnson had previously pledged his commitment to the PGA Tour a few months ago, but his recent change of heart is a significant development for the Saudi Tour. This decision undoubtedly adds to their appeal and attracts attention to their cause.

Johnson made the decision to leave the PGA Tour on Tuesday and join the LIV, stating that it was the most beneficial choice for him and his family at this particular moment.

Hobson stated that although Dustin Johnson is an exceptional player, he does not hold the power to significantly impact the tour. Despite his greatness, he is not the pivotal figure who determines the success or failure of an event. Johnson is not the most prominent name in the world of golf. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he decided to change course and pursue a different direction.

Mickelson, others set for first event

After garnering significant criticism for his previous remarks about the league, Phil Mickelson is now set to join it. Having been absent from the PGA Tour for several months, he missed out on participating in the first two major championships. The Saudi International on Feb. 6 marked his last appearance in an event.

According to reports, Mickelson is set to receive a signing bonus of $200 million upon joining the league, whereas Johnson’s signing bonus amounts to $125 million.

LIV Golf announced on Wednesday that Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed will be joining the organization later this month, according to reports.

The league will also feature other renowned players such as Kevin Na, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, and Ian Poulter.

MSU’s James Piot playing this week

James Piot, a prominent figure in the Michigan golf community, is set to compete for LIV Golf this weekend.

The individual hailing from Farmington Hills became the inaugural U.S. Amateur Champion from Michigan in the year 2021.

“He’s a good young man, with a good head on his shoulders. He’s delightful and I always root for him when he plays. However, I must express my disappointment in his decision. I understand that the financial aspect is tempting, especially in the highly competitive world of professional golf. But I would have preferred if he had chosen a different path to earn that money, rather than associating himself with individuals who have nothing in common with him. It’s disheartening because he truly is a good young man.”

Piot, who is not currently a member of the PGA Tour, will not be subject to any PGA ban for participating in any LIV event this year.

Paul speculates that Piot will participate in Q School (PGA qualifying Tour) in the upcoming fall in an attempt to secure his PGA Tour card. At present, Piot’s main focus is to participate in various events. Paul sees this as a chance for Piot to gain valuable experience. Even if Piot finishes last in all eight events, he stands to earn over $100,000 each time. With that kind of financial boost right after college, it can greatly benefit his career. Moreover, Piot will still have future opportunities to become a member of the PGA Tour.

What is the Saudi Golf League format?

The format of the Saudi Golf League will differ from the PGA Tour, featuring a unique structure. Every event will consist of 54 holes, commencing with a shotgun start. Unlike the PGA Tour, there will be no eliminations within a 48-man field, ensuring that each player receives compensation in some capacity.

At the event, there will be 12 teams consisting of 4 players each, making a total of 48 players.

“The various formats they will be implementing will be truly intriguing to observe, especially to gauge the level of engagement from the average golfer who enjoys it,” expressed Sullivan. “Frankly, I am particularly interested in the comprehensive coverage of the event. How significant will its impact be? What will the extent of social media coverage be like? How widely will this inaugural event resonate with mainstream audiences? These are the aspects I am genuinely curious about and intend to monitor closely to assess the level of attention this first event will receive.”

Prize pools

In addition to vying for the individual prize pool, golfers’ performance will be taken into account for their four-man team and the total earnings of the group.

The LIV Golf League has planned to organize eight events in the year 2024, with a noteworthy payout of $255 million for its participating players. The initial seven events will feature a prize pool of $20 million for individuals and $5 million for teams. However, the grand finale scheduled for October 30th in Miami will boast a substantial prize pool of $30 million for individuals and an impressive $50 million for teams.

In the upcoming event, the top individual winner will receive a grand prize of $4 million, while the participant in last place will be awarded approximately $120,000. As for the team category, the $5 million prize will be divided among the top three squads.

The 2024 LIV Schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the LIV Golf League:

• From June 9th to June 11th, the Centurion Club will be held in London, England.
• On the dates of July 1st to July 3rd, the esteemed Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club located in Portland, Oregon will be hosting its prestigious events.
• From July 29th to 31st, the prestigious Trump National Golf Club Bedminster located in Bedminster, New Jersey
• From September 2nd to September 4th, the International Golf Club located in Boston, Massachusetts.
• From September 16th to 18th, the prestigious Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago, Illinois will be hosting an event.
• From October 7th to October 9th, Stonehill will be in Bangkok, Thailand.
• From October 14th to 16th, the prestigious Royal Greens Golf & Country Club will be hosting an event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• From October 27th to 30th, the location for the event will be Trump National Doral Miami, situated in Miami, Florida.

Can I bet on the LIV Golf League?

FanDuel Sportsbook unveiled odds for the inaugural event on Tuesday. Unfortunately, these odds are not accessible to online sports bettors in Michigan, leaving them with no betting options for now.

Only residents of Illinois, Oregon, Ontario, Connecticut, Arizona, and Wyoming will have access to the odds for the event, as stated by DraftKings Sportsbook.

Dustin Johnson being the favorite with odds of +340 to win is expected, while Oosthuizen follows behind with odds of +850.

The fact that the favorite pre-tournament is listed at +340 indicates a lack of overall depth in this league, as most PGA events typically have favorites in the +700-1000 range before they start.

Paul expressed his belief that the lack of prominent figures in the league may lead to a similar fate as the USFL. Initially, there might be some initial interest driven by curiosity, but he anticipates a gradual decline in attention as time passes. Paul also believes that the gambling markets will follow a similar pattern.

What else they’re saying about LIV Golf

Tony Paul

When I consider the league, which receives funding from a nation known for its severe human rights violations, I can’t help but see it as tainted money. However, I acknowledge that none of us have been presented with the chance to earn millions of dollars by playing a game that James and many others have aspired to turn into a career. It’s difficult to say how any of us would react if faced with such an opportunity and the accompanying wealth. It’s simple for us to express our beliefs from a distance, but I must recognize that I am not in their shoes.

Bill Hobson

Some individuals argue, “Who are you to criticize these players? They have the freedom to engage in these activities.” Indeed, they do have that freedom. Nobody is denying their right. However, what I am suggesting is that it may not be the most advantageous choice. Just because it is within the bounds of the law does not make it morally acceptable. Whether it is Mickelson, DJ, or anyone else, aligning themselves with individuals who essentially purchase their sense of right and wrong is damaging to their own reputation. That is the unfortunate aspect of this situation.

Mike Sullivan

The PGA Tour is an enormous entity, a vast league that presents a formidable challenge for any potential competitor. Its massive financial resources and extensive support make it a force to be reckoned with. While other ventures may seek to rival it, I do not perceive them as direct competition or a significant threat to the PGA Tour. Instead, I find it intriguing to witness whether this new venture can sustain itself and thrive in the long run.