Categories
PGA Tour

LIV for ladies? The PIF sponsors Charley Hull and Co. a Global Series

Of course, the headline is provocative, and there is certainly no question of a team mode, a franchise concept or even poaching established golfing greats. But the fact that Saudi Arabia is casting covetous glances at women’s golf was already hinted at by its former calorifier Greg Norman during his time in office. Now Riyadh has manifested this interest and donated a Global Series to the European Ladies Tour (LET), initially with five events in five countries, financed and supported by the sovereign wealth fund PIF. In return, the Aramco Team Series has been dropped or renamed.

The PIF Global Series is organized and hosted by the LET, four of the five tournaments are endowed with two million dollars, plus the PIF Saudi Ladies International with a pot of five million dollars. Attentive observers of the women’s golf scene will have noticed that the first two competitions have already taken place: In February, Jeeno Thitikul won 675,000 dollars at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and last weekend Korean Hyo Joo Kim celebrated a home victory in Seoul. Other venues include the Centurion Club near London (August 8-10), Houston (September 5-7) and Mission Hills in Shenzen, China (November 6-8).

As in the LIV Golf League, the PIF Global Series also has a team and an individual ranking, and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan is sticking to his vision of team golf. The captains are named based on the world rankings and can then put together their teams. Europe’s figurehead Charley Hull is naturally delighted – and not just because the Englishwoman is an ambassador for Saudi Golf anyway. In view of the generally low prize money at the LET, such multi-million dollar commitments are more than welcome. “Golf Saudi and PIF have shown themselves to be true trailblazers for women’s golf and have once again demonstrated their commitment to equal opportunities,” said Hull. Who would have thought that the Saudis would be talked about like this?

Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Championship: How LIV Golfers Join Quail Hollow’s Strong Field

The PGA Championship 2025 promises one of the strongest fields of the year and now two more LIV Golf players have joined. Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin and Spain’s David Puig have received late invitations to the major at Quail Hollow, increasing LIV’s presence amid ongoing debates about world ranking points and qualification criteria.

PGA Championship: Golf’s Deepest Major Field?

The PGA Championship is renowned for its inclusivity. While the Masters maintains strict entry limits, the PGA of America traditionally invites nearly all top-100 players, unless they qualify otherwise. Since LIV events offer no world ranking points, stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka rely on past major wins or special exemptions. Others, such as Joaquín Niemann, depend on invitations despite consistent LIV performances.

Tom McKibbin: Northern Ireland’s Rising LIV Star

Tom McKibbin could have played on the PGA Tour after securing his card via a strong 18th-place finish in the 2024 DP World Tour Race to Dubai. Despite warnings from Rory McIlroy, the 22-year-old joined LIV Golf, where he now plays for Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII.

Currently ranked 115th in the world, which is too low for automatic PGA Championship qualification, McKibbin’s steady LIV performances, including a team win in LIV’s season opener in Saudi Arabia, convinced the PGA of America to extend an invite. Legion XIII confirmed his participation via social media on Tuesday.

David Puig: Spain’s Bold College-to-LIV Prospect

David Puig jumped straight from college to LIV Golf. The 23-year-old sits 20th in LIV’s individual standings and recently impressed with a T4 at the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour.

Yet Puig’s world ranking slipped to 107th, typically insufficient for PGA Championship entry. Like McKibbin, he earned a late invitation, a golden opportunity to compete against golf’s elite and chase crucial ranking points.

LIV Stars at the PGA Championship

Beyond McKibbin and Puig, marquee LIV players like Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith will tee off at Quail Hollow. These major champions remain world-class despite LIV’s ranking-points drought.

All eyes are on DeChambeau as a potential contender, while veterans like Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, and Patrick Reed add experience. Rising talents like Niemann, Dean Burmester, and Eugenio Chacarra round out the field. Even Richard Bland, Laurie Canter, and McKibbin underscore LIV’s depth. For all, the PGA Championship is a chance to chase glory and global legitimacy.

LIV’s World Ranking Dilemma

The PGA Championship highlights LIV players’ qualification hurdles. Without ranking points on their tour, majors and sporadic DP World/Asian Tour starts are their only paths to climb the standings.

Niemann secured a U.S. Open spot via LIV’s performance, aided by a new rule granting starts to three top unqualified LIV players. For McKibbin and Puig, Quail Hollow offers a critical opportunity to play their way up the rankings.

Categories
Live PGA Tour

PGA Tour Tee Times: Rory McIlroy and More Set for Truist Championship

The Truist Championship, part of the PGA Tour, takes place at The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. With a par of 70, the event offers a $20 million prize pool. Reigning champion Rory McIlroy will defend his title.

PGA Tour Tee Times for UK Players at Truist Championship

Robert MacIntyre, hailing from Scotland, will join the field for the Truist Championship. MacIntyre begins Round 1 on Thursday at 11:20 AM alongside Davis Thompson from the USA and Denny McCarthy, also of the USA. For Round 2 on Friday, this group will tee off at 12:26 PM.

Aaron Rai, representing England, will start his Truist Championship campaign on Thursday at 11:53 AM. He partners with Austin Eckroat from the USA and Will Zalatoris, also of the USA. In the second round, Rai and his fellow players have a start time of 12:59 PM.

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland, the defending champion, is set to play in the company of Tommy Fleetwood from England and Justin Thomas from the USA. Their first-round tee time is 12:26 PM on Thursday, while for the second round, they will commence at 11:20 AM on Friday.

Justin Rose, another English golfer, shares his tee time with Shane Lowry from Ireland and Keegan Bradley from the USA. They begin Round 1 at 12:26 PM on Thursday and their second-round start is set for 11:20 AM on Friday.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, representing England, will tackle the first round at 12:59 PM. Alongside him are Thomas Detry from Belgium and Christiaan Bezuidenhout from South Africa. On Friday, Round 2 for this group is scheduled to begin at 11:53 AM.

Player Name Nationality Round Tee Time Flight Partner
Robert MacIntyre Scotland 1 11:20 AM Davis Thompson, USA; Denny McCarthy, USA
Aaron Rai England 1 11:53 AM Austin Eckroat, USA; Will Zalatoris, USA
Rory McIlroy Northern Ireland 1 12:26 PM Tommy Fleetwood, England; Justin Thomas, USA
Justin Rose England 1 12:26 PM Shane Lowry, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, USA
Matthew Fitzpatrick England 1 12:59 PM Thomas Detry, Belgium; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa
Robert MacIntyre Scotland 2 12:26 PM Davis Thompson, USA; Denny McCarthy, USA
Aaron Rai England 2 12:59 PM Austin Eckroat, USA; Will Zalatoris, USA
Rory McIlroy Northern Ireland 2 11:20 AM Tommy Fleetwood, England; Justin Thomas, USA
Justin Rose England 2 11:20 AM Shane Lowry, Ireland; Keegan Bradley, USA
Matthew Fitzpatrick England 2 11:53 AM Thomas Detry, Belgium; Christiaan Bezuidenhout, South Africa
Categories
LIV Tour

LIV Golf and OWGR in new discussions over ranking points?

Augusta was, as always, the stage for great golf moments – and apparently also for a meeting away from the fairways. At the Masters, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and the new OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman were seen under the famous oak tree – a place where important matters in golf are often discussed. Nothing has been officially confirmed, but according to multiple reports, talks between LIV Golf and the OWGR about possible recognition of the league for world ranking points are said to be taking place. This would be the first time since the rejected application in 2022 that the two sides have moved closer again.


Possible Changes to LIV Golf’s Format

Since its founding in 2022, LIV Golf has been striving for recognition by the OWGR. So far, this has failed due to criticism of the format—particularly because of the team competition and the lack of relegation. Now, it seems things are moving forward. With new leadership on both sides, structural reforms, and the first visible signs of rapprochement—as reports suggest—the door to the world rankings may be opening a little wider.

What also seems apparent: LIV Golf appears willing to make structural adjustments. To accommodate the OWGR, there are said to be plans for clearer sporting mobility in the future. Players who end up in the so called “Drop Zone” at the end of the season would automatically be eliminated. A return would then only be possible through the Promotions Event or the Asian Tour.

OWGR Points as the Key to the Majors

The debate over ranking points has tangible consequences for many LIV golfers. While top players like Jon Rahm or Brooks Koepka are secured through major successes, others lack guaranteed access to big tournaments. The world ranking is the central criterion—without points, no starts in the majors. Integration into the OWGR system would significantly improve the competitive prospects of many LIV golfers.

Categories
PGA Tour

Record Crowds Expected at Royal Portrush for 153rd Open Championship

Royal Portrush is set to make history once again. The R&A announced that it expects a staggering 278,000 fans to descend on the famed links this July for the 153rd Open Championship — a figure that would make it one of the most attended Opens of all time.

The turnout will mark the largest sporting event ever staged in Northern Ireland, with an estimated economic impact of £213 million. Ticket demand has been unprecedented, with over one million applications submitted. Only the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022 — which drew 290,000 spectators — has attracted a larger crowd.

Lowry and McIlroy Set for Homecoming Battle

Portrush last hosted The Open in 2019, when Shane Lowry thrilled the home crowds with a commanding six-shot victory, drawing a then-record 237,750 fans over four days. Six years later, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch as Lowry prepares for a potential showdown with fellow fan favorite Rory McIlroy — fresh off his long-awaited Masters triumph and the favorite to capture more major glory in 2025.

 
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Categories
PGA Tour

PGA Tour Pro on Suspension: “It’s Been an Emotional Rollercoaster”

For most of his career, Wesley Bryan has been as comfortable in front of a camera as he is over a wedge shot. Trick shots, Tour wins, YouTube content — he’s built a name straddling the line between entertainer and elite athlete. But now, the PGA Tour veteran finds himself at the center of a different kind of story: one where the future of golf collides head-on with its rules of the past.

The PGA Tour suspended Bryan following his appearance at “The Duels: Miami,” a LIV Golf-adjacent creator event. The response? A 3-minute YouTube video, shot from a golf cart, layered with gratitude, introspection, and an unmistakable undercurrent of defiance.

“It’s Been an Emotional Rollercoaster”

In the video, Bryan isn’t teeing off or goofing around with influencers. He’s seated quietly in a golf cart, speaking directly to his audience — not as a content creator, not as a PGA Tour player, but as someone genuinely trying to make sense of where golf is headed.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” he admits early in the video. The PGA Tour had suspended him for playing in an event connected to LIV — without securing a mandatory release. But instead of firing back, Bryan starts with something unexpected: gratitude.

He thanks the Tour. For the tournaments. For the platform. For the eight years of opportunities. It’s a tone that’s disarming — reflective rather than reactive. There’s no hint of rage. Only a desire to explain.

YouTube, LIV, and a Grey Area in the Rulebook

To understand the controversy, it helps to understand the event. “The Duels: Miami” wasn’t a traditional tournament. It wasn’t sanctioned, it wasn’t ranked, and it wasn’t played for a seven-figure purse. It was a content shoot — part challenge, part entertainment — streamed on YouTube, not broadcast on national television.

Bryan played alongside YouTubers and major champions alike, all of it captured on Grant Horvat’s channel. The problem? The PGA Tour’s policy requires players to seek permission before appearing in non-Tour events, particularly those linked to LIV Golf. Bryan didn’t — because, as he sees it, it wasn’t a competitive event at all.

For Bryan, YouTube isn’t a hobby. It’s a career lane that has grown up alongside his Tour life — one he’s cultivated for over a decade. It’s also part of a larger shift in golf, where Gen Z fans are just as likely to follow Grant Horvat or Rick Shiels as they are to tune into CBS on a Sunday.

“The Rule Was Not Meant To Cover Content Creation On Youtube”

Bryan makes it clear: this isn’t about defiance. It’s about definitions. He respects the PGA Tour, and he’s not looking to blow up the rulebook — but he is questioning whether the rules have kept up with the game.

“I want to be clear. I do respect the authorities that are in place at the tour, but because of the ambiguity and the rules and regulations that were written I do, a as a member of the PGA Tour, have a right to appeal their decision,” he says. “I don’t feel like when the rule was written, that it was meant to cover content creation on YouTube, I feel like it was meant to cover organized professional high-level golf events. And with that being said, I plan on carrying out my right to appeal.”

So, he’s appealing. Not to win an argument, but to seek clarity — for himself, for other content creators in golf, and for the next generation of players who might find themselves walking the same line between entertainment and elite sport.

What happens next will likely be decided behind closed doors. But the bigger question — how golf defines itself in the digital age — is one that’s far from settled.

Watch the full video here:

Categories
PGA Tour

Rules of Golf: Wrong ball played – Pro disqualifies himself

A small mistake with big consequences: At the Corales Puntacana Championship, a breach of the rules was Ben Crane’s undoing. After making a mistake at the PGA Tour event, he disqualified himself.

On hole 8 of the third round in the Dominican Republic, the ball supposedly landed in the water after the tee shot. Crane then played a second ball from the tee, which came to rest near the penalty area. Once there, however, the American found two balls. His first ball had not landed in the water but hit the rocks and bounced back onto the course. Crane made a mistake in identifying the ball and inadvertently continued to play his first ball. As the second ball was already in play, this was illegal. It was not until the following hole that Crane discovered scratches on his ball caused by the impact with the rocks and realized his mistake.

Rules of golf: Wrong ball played

The Rules of Golf state that, as a rule, a hole must be played with one ball from start to finish. Rule 6.3b states: “If the player’s original ball has not been found and the player put another ball in play to take stroke-and-distance relief or as allowed under a Rule that applies when it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball: The player must continue playing with the substituted ball, and the player must not play the original ball even if it is found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time.”

If a player continues to play with the original ball, this is regarded as playing the wrong ball. According to Rule 6.3c(1), a player is obliged to correct a mistake before teeing off on the next hole. It states: “If the player does not correct the mistake before making a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole of the round, before returning their scorecard, the player is disqualified.”


Ben Crane addressed the public after the incident via his X account and described the situation from his perspective. He explained how the mistake came about and why he decided to take the consequences in the form of self-disqualification. His honest account and the decision to hold himself accountable were widely appreciated in the golf community.

Categories
Highlights Tours LIV Tour

These LIV golfers will compete at the US Masters 2025 in Augusta

For players who joined the LIV Golf League, qualifying for Major championships has become increasingly difficult. Since they do not receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points in their own league and are banned from participating in PGA Tour events, there are limited opportunities for LIV players to secure a spot in the sport’s most prestigious tournaments.

However, both the USGA and The R&A have responded to this challenge by creating explicit qualifying paths for LIV players, allowing them easier access to the U.S. Open and The Open Championship. Their reasoning? They want to ensure that the best golfers in the world are represented in their fields.

The first Major of the year, though, is the Masters – traditionally the most exclusive of the four Majors, with a limited field of around 90 players invited annually to compete at Augusta National Golf Club. There is no direct qualification path for LIV Golf players, yet 12 LIV golfers will once again be part of the Masters field in 2025.

One group of players that will always have a place at Augusta is the Masters champions. Former winners receive a lifetime invitation to the event. This includes Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Bubba Watson. Other LIV players qualified by winning one of the other three Majors in recent years – Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open 2024), Brooks Koepka (PGA Championship 2023), and Cameron Smith (The Open 2022). Tyrrell Hatton may not yet have a Major title, but he finished inside the top 12 at the 2024 Masters, earning him an automatic return. He is also currently ranked inside the world’s top 50, another standard route for qualification. Joaquin Niemann, while not officially qualified through traditional categories, received a special invitation from Augusta National due to his exceptional performances, similar to last year.

All LIV Golfers Competing at the 2025 US Masters:

  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Tyrrell Hatton
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Cameron Smith
  • Dustin Johnson
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Jon Rahm
  • Patrick Reed
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Bubba Watson
  • Joaquin Niemann

Also worth mentioning is Laurie Canter, a former LIV player. He was still listed as a reserve early in 2024 but later left the league entirely. Since then, he’s been able to play events like The Players Championship, having qualified through strong performances on the DP World Tour. His current position inside the world’s top 50 also earned him a spot at the 2025 US Masters.

Categories
PGA Tour

Rory McIlroy cracks 100 million in prize money – hunt for Tiger Woods begins

Rory McIlroy has reached another milestone in his impressive career: the Northern Irishman is only the second player in the history of the PGA Tour to pass the 100 million dollar mark in official prize money. Only Tiger Woods was able to break this mark before him. But how did McIlroy achieve this historic success, and can he even overtake Woods in the coming years?

Rory McIlroy’s recent successes bring crucial millions

A decisive factor in McIlroy’s financial success was his victory at the 2025 Players Championship. In a nerve-wracking play-off, he secured the title and the prize money of 4.5 million dollars from a total pool of 25 million US dollars.

Another lucrative highlight was his triumph at the 2024 DP World Tour Championship. With a final score of 15 under par and a flawless final round, McIlroy secured the prize money of 3 million dollars and further increased his financial cushion.

How prize money is transforming golf

McIlroy’s monetary success is not just a personal triumph, but also an indicator of the increasing commercialization of golf. Increasing sponsorship deals, growing media coverage and higher prize money have made the PGA Tour one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world in recent decades.

McIlroy already topped the European Tour’s money list in 2018 after finishing in a tie for second place at the Open Championship. This took him over the €35 million mark in prize money on the European Tour.

Can McIlroy overtake Tiger Woods?

Despite McIlroy’s impressive financial record, Tiger Woods remains unrivaled with over 120 million dollars in official PGA Tour prize money. However, the rising prize money and McIlroy’s consistent performance could make the race for the number one spot in the money rankings exciting in the coming years.

At 35, McIlroy is at a stage where many golfers reach their financial peaks. If he continues to strategically participate in tournaments that pay out large prize money, he could actually catch up with Woods in the next few years.

McIlroy as a giant of golf

Rory McIlroy has played his way into the exclusive league of golf millionaires through a combination of sporting ability, strategic tournament planning and economic foresight. The coming years will show whether he can break Tiger Woods’ 120 million dollar mark. But one thing is certain: McIlroy is not just a top golfer – he is a brand in his own right.

Categories
LIV Tour

Brooks Koepka tells it like it really is: LIV is “behind where we should be’

Admission: While the LIV Golf League likes to indulge in superlatives, there are some protagonists on the competition circuit who take a very realistic view of the construct. Brooks Koepka, for example, who, as usual, doesn’t mince his words and clearly states that the LIV has not developed as desired. ‘Look we’re four years in, it’s just getting its feet wet and figuring out what direction they want it to go,’ said the five-time major winner on “The Joe Pomp Show” hosted by Joe Pompliano, an entrepreneur and investor who likes to get involved in the business of opinion-making in golf. Koepka admitted during the interview: ‘We are behind, to be quite fair. Behind where we should be. From bringing sponsors in to hitting the international market and the US market.”

Brooks Koepka: LIV Golf behind expectations

But it’s fun, it’s evolving, technologies evolving, and look its just golf at the end of the day, and you got to make it more fun and entertaining and the attention span that the younger generation has isnt as long as everyone sitting on the couch watching golf for five six hours.

“You have to be able to innovate and create different things – thats what we’re trying to do, TGL’s doing the same thing – its just a matter of putting a good product out in front of people and at the end of the day if you put good golf in front of people they are going to want to watch it.

Brooks Koepka

The 34-year-old obviously combines this with a side blow against the previous LIV impresario Greg Norman, even if he does not mention his name. But criticism resonates when Koepka places his hopes in the new CEO Scott O’Neil: ‘Obviously, there’s been a lot of change and hires of people within LIV, and I think Scott’s a great guy, and he can lead LIV to where it needs to be and where I think it should be’