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

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For a while now, the golf world hasn’t seen anything generate as much excitement as LIV Golf, regardless of whether it’s perceived as positive or negative.

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

Despite the negative attention surrounding LIV, the organization has secured significant funding and successfully attracted a few players from the PGA. Furthermore, they have managed to sign the renowned local talent, James Piot.

Included in this article are all the details about the LIV Golf League, along with perspectives shared by three Michigan golf media professionals.

What is the LIV Golf League?

The LIV Golf League gets its name from the Roman numeral for 54, which signifies the number of holes played during their events. Additionally, it symbolizes the score that would be achieved if a golfer were to birdie each hole on a par-72 course.

Funding

The “Saudi Golf League” is commonly referred to as such because it receives financial support from the Public Investment Fund, which is essentially a financial entity of the Saudi Arabian government.

The league and its participants have faced significant criticism because of their association with the Saudi regime. In 2018, Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was brutally killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, with U.S. intelligence agencies determining that Saudi crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman sanctioned the operation. This is just one instance among numerous human rights violations connected to the Saudi government.

When asked about collaborating with the Saudis, Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf Investments and the primary spokesperson for the new league, acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes and emphasized the importance of learning from those mistakes in order to make improvements moving forward.

Bill Hobson, Executive Producer of Michigan Golf Live, expressed his initial thoughts on the matter. He stated that he does not have any issue with someone competing with the PGA Tour and providing an alternative for the players, as competition fosters improvement. He used the example of having only one restaurant or carmaker to emphasize the importance of variety. However, Hobson’s concern lies in the source of funding and the fact that Greg Norman was willing to partner with a regime known for its murderous actions. He believes that such individuals should not be associated with in business ventures.

PGA Tour’s reaction

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has made a commitment to enforce suspensions or bans on any PGA Tour member participating in the LIV Golf League.

Although it may affect the golfers’ chances of participating in the PGA Championship or Ryder Cup, they would still remain eligible to compete in the other major championships.

Mike Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Brand25 Media LLC, expressed his desire for the PGA Tour to have a slightly higher standing. He believes that instead of complaining about it, the players should embrace the opportunity it presents. Sullivan acknowledges that the allure of big paychecks motivates the players to participate, but he believes their dissatisfaction with the PGA Tour also plays a role. According to him, there are evident concerns among the players, and this discontentment is fueled by the combination of substantial financial gains and their dissatisfaction with the tour.

If deemed eligible, the USGA declared on Tuesday its decision to permit the participation of those LIV competitors in the upcoming U.S. Open.

No TV deal as of yet

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

According to Tony Paul, a staff writer for the Detroit News, the lack of a TV partner for them indicates that no one is interested in broadcasting their events. Many individuals consider this tour to be morally questionable, often referring to it as blood money.

Despite the absence of a television deal, the league will broadcast the matches via YouTube, Facebook, and LIVGolf.com. The opening tournament’s coverage will commence at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Who is playing in the LIV Golf League?

LIV Golf has been extending generous offers to PGA Tour members, with Norman even proposing a staggering nine-digit offer to Tiger Woods. However, the majority of players have chosen to decline these offers.

Despite the lack of depth in the league, it still manages to attract some prominent figures.

Former PGA Tour players have chosen to depart for the Saudi-backed league, seeking larger payouts and a less demanding schedule.

Dustin Johnson commits

Dustin Johnson, currently positioned at No. 15 in the global rankings, had held the esteemed title of No. 1 in the world just last year.

According to Paul, Dustin Johnson is undeniably the prominent figure representing the Saudi Tour. Paul mentioned that a few months ago, Johnson had committed to the PGA Tour, but now he has had a change of heart, which is significant for the Saudi Tour. This decision undoubtedly adds to their appeal.

Johnson made the decision to leave the PGA Tour on Tuesday and join the LIV, explaining that it was the most beneficial choice for him and his family presently.

“Hobson noted that while Dustin Johnson is undeniably a great player, he does not hold the power to significantly impact the tour. Despite his talent, he is not the sole determinant of an event’s success or failure. Hobson pointed out that DJ is not the most prominent figure in golf and expressed little surprise over his decision to alter his course.”

Mickelson, others set for first event

After being absent from the PGA Tour for several months, Phil Mickelson, who previously received criticism for his remarks on the league, is now making a comeback. Having missed the first two major championships, his last participation was in the Saudi International on Feb. 6.

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

LIV Golf recently announced that Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed will be joining their team later this month, as per reports on Wednesday.

The league will also include 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, an influential figure within Michigan’s golf community, is set to represent LIV Golf in this weekend’s tournament.

The first-ever U.S. Amateur Champion from Michigan, hailing from Farmington Hills, was crowned in 2021.

Hobson expressed his admiration for Piot, describing him as a talented and admirable individual with a bright future. Despite this, Hobson admitted his disappointment in Piot’s decision, acknowledging the allure of financial gain and the challenging nature of professional golf. However, Hobson emphasized that he would have preferred Piot to earn his success through a different means, as he believes the people Piot associated with do not share any common values or qualities with him.

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 mentioned that he assumes Piot will participate in Q School this autumn to earn his PGA Tour card. However, at the moment, Piot is primarily focused on playing events. Paul sees this as a valuable opportunity for Piot, as participating in all eight events would result in over $100,000 earnings each time, even if he finishes last. It’s a significant boost to his portfolio straight out of college. Additionally, Piot still has future chances to become a PGA Tour member.

What is the Saudi Golf League format?

The format of the Saudi Golf League will differ from the familiar setup of the PGA Tour. Instead of the usual format, each event will consist of 54 holes with a shotgun start. In contrast to the PGA Tour’s practice of making cuts based on a 48-man field, the Saudi Golf League ensures that every player in the field receives some form of payment, guaranteeing fair compensation for their participation.

At the event, each of the 48 players will be assigned to one of the 12 teams, each consisting of 4 players.

Sullivan expressed his fascination with the various formats that will be featured, questioning whether they will resonate with and appeal to the average golfer. Additionally, he expressed his curiosity about the overall coverage of the event. He wondered about the magnitude of the event and its presence on social media. Sullivan also pondered the extent to which this inaugural event will capture mainstream attention, emphasizing his eagerness to monitor and track the level of attention it receives.

Prize pools

In addition to vying for the individual prize pool, golfers’ performance will also contribute to their four-man team’s earnings.

The LIV Golf League has scheduled eight events for the year 2024, with a staggering $255 million in total prize money allocated for its players. The first seven events will offer individual winners a generous prize pool of $20 million, while teams will compete for a $5 million prize. The grand finale, set to take place in Miami on October 30th, will feature an even more remarkable prize pool of $30 million for individuals and an incredible $50 million for winning teams.

In the upcoming event, the overall individual winner will be awarded $4 million, while the last-place participant will receive approximately $120,000. The $5 million allocated for teams will be distributed among the top three squads.

The 2024 LIV Schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the LIV Golf League:

• From June 9th to 11th, we have the pleasure of hosting the prestigious Centurion Club event in the mesmerizing city of London, England.
• From July 1st to 3rd, indulge in a golfing experience like no other at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club situated in Portland, Oregon.
• From July 29th to 31st, Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, located in Bedminster, New Jersey, will be hosting an event.
• From September 2nd to 4th, golf enthusiasts will gather at the prestigious 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 9th, Stonehill will be in Bangkok, Thailand.
• From October 14th to 16th, the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
• From October 27th to 30th, the prestigious Trump National Doral Miami will be hosting an event in the beautiful city of 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 yet accessible in Michigan, leaving online sports bettors in the state without any available options.

DraftKings Sportsbook has announced that the odds for the event are exclusively available in Illinois, Oregon, Ontario, Connecticut, Arizona, and Wyoming.

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

The fact that the favorite pre-tournament has a +340 line highlights the limited depth in this league compared to most PGA events, where favorites usually fall in the +700-1000 range before the start.

According to Paul, he believes 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 expects the enthusiasm to gradually decline with each passing week. Paul also predicts a similar trend in the gambling markets.

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 violations of human rights, I can’t help but view it as tainted money. However, I have to acknowledge that none of us have been presented with the chance to earn millions of dollars playing a game that James and many others have dreamed of turning into a career. It’s difficult to say how any of us would truly respond if given such an opportunity and the accompanying wealth. It’s simple for us to express our beliefs from a distance, but I have to admit that I’m not in their shoes.

Bill Hobson

Some individuals argue, “Who are you to criticize these players? They are fully entitled to engage in such activities.” Indeed, they do have that right, without a doubt. Nobody is denying their right to do so. However, what I am suggesting is that it may not be the most advantageous course of action. Just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is morally right. Whether it is Mickelson, DJ, or any other player involved, by associating themselves with individuals who essentially purchase their ethical standards, they are damaging their own reputation. That is the unfortunate aspect of this situation.

Mike Sullivan

The PGA Tour is an enormous entity, like a giant beast. It is a massive league that I believe will be extremely challenging for any other organization to rival. Undoubtedly, the financial resources and support behind it are immense. They have managed to secure the involvement of significant figures. However, I do not perceive this as a direct competition or a threat to the PGA Tour. Personally, I find it fascinating to observe whether this venture can truly maintain its sustainability over the long run.

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