Tag: LIV Golf

Categories
LIV Tour Uncategorized

LIV Golf gives up fight for world ranking points

Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)
Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV Golf League. (Photo: Getty Images)

LIV Golf’s endeavours to obtain world ranking points have come to an end. In a letter to the players, Greg Norman explains the cancellation.

The LIV Golf League is giving up its aim of obtaining world ranking points for its tournaments. Greg Norman, CEO of the tour financed by Saudi Arabia, wrote this in a letter to his players, which was first quoted by Sports Illustrated. According to the letter, it is now hopeless that there will be any points for the LIV players in the near future. LIV Golf had applied to the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for inclusion shortly after it was founded. The application was last rejected in October 2023.

In his letter, Norman accuses those responsible at the OGWR of having no interest in clarifying the current situation: “A resolution which protects the accuracy, credibility and integrity of the OWGR rankings no longer exists”, SI quotes Normans letter. “We have made significant efforts to fight for you and ensure your accomplishments are recognized within the existing ranking system. Unfortunately, OWGR has shown little willingness to productively work with us.”

No points for LIV Golf – “Even if…”

Even more than the refusal of the seven-member committee of OWGR directors to recognise LIV Golf as eligible to participate, Norman now also sees inclusion in the OWGR system as pointless: “Even if LIV Golf events were immediately awarded points, the OWGR system is designed such that it would be functionally impossible for you to regain positions close to the summit of the ranking, where so many of you belong.”

Peter Dawson, Chairman of the OWGR committee, which also includes the PGA Tour Commissioner, the DP World Tour CEO and representatives of the four majors, explained in October that inclusion would fail in particular due to the Tour’s lack of qualification criteria. Although LIV Golf recently held a kind of Q-School, only three players qualified. In addition, the winner of the Asian Tour ranking is eligible to compete. Others, e.g. Jon Rahm or Anthony Kim, are simply bought in and declared eligible to compete. Dawson has not yet issued a statement on Norman’s statements. A total of 24 tours worldwide with thousands of players are eligible to collect world ranking points. Every single LIV player was aware when they switched to the Invitational Series that they would not receive any points for the World Golf Ranking.

This week, LIV Golf will play its fourth tournament of the current season. The event takes place in Hong Kong. Jon Rahm criticised the basis for calculating the world golf rankings during the tournament: “”I’m going to go back to what I said two years ago. I didn’t think it was a good system back then”, Rahm told AFP ahead of the event, which begins on Friday. “If anything, the more time goes on, the more it proves to be wrong”, added the 29-year-old, who is still number three in the world rankings.

Categories
Panorama

Golfers as trading cards: LIV Golf announces deal with Panini

LIV Golf launches golf trading cards together with Panini (Source: X @livgolf_league)
LIV Golf launches golf trading cards together with Panini (Source: X @livgolf_league)

Panini’s trading cards have long been a source of joy for young sports fans, spanning generations. Now, following a deal with LIV Golf, the first golf trading cards are set to hit the shelves. Panini will serve as the exclusive trading card partner for the LIV Golf League.

LIV Golf Introduces the First Golf Trading Cards

Panini’s inaugural golf lineup will feature physical trading cards adorned with match-worn memorabilia and autographs from players. Panini plans to unveil the first LIV Golf trading cards featuring its popular Prizm and Impeccable brands. Additionally, Panini will launch an LIV Golf Panini Instant card program, releasing real-time cards post-tournaments showcasing some of the season’s winning moments and best shots, as well as team sets. “LIV Golf is excited to collaborate with Panini, a global brand committed to connecting with fans worldwide through a shared love of sports,” said Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman. “Just as our league continues to evolve, bringing professional team golf into the mainstream, this partnership will introduce new products to millions of passionate fans and collectors worldwide. As a former player, I am particularly excited for our players and teams to expand their platforms in this realm.”

Players are also enthusiastic about the deal: “I’m an avid collector of various types of sports memorabilia throughout my career, so personally, it’s very exciting for me to have the opportunity to work with a premium trading card brand,” said Majesticks GC Co-Captain Ian Poulter. “While trading cards are often associated with younger demographics, I believe this partnership between LIV and Panini is a great opportunity to elevate professional golf to the same level as other professional leagues by creating memorabilia for the kid in all of us.”

Team Format as an Incentive

Panini is also venturing into new territory with this partnership, marking its first foray into golf. The format of LIV Golf ultimately convinced the company to take this step. “We’ve often pondered how to introduce some of our most beloved trading card brands into golf, but the sport always presented challenges. LIV brought an entirely new dynamic to the sport. The team and league format is something that didn’t exist and creates another level of collectibles for fans,” said Mark Warsop, CEO of Panini America.

Panini collaborates with many of the biggest leagues and brands in the sports and entertainment industry, including the NFL, NBA, FIFA, Premier League, LaLiga, NASCAR, and more. The Panini Group was founded in Modena, Italy, in 1961 and is the international market leader in stickers and trading cards.

Categories
Live

LIV Tour: Las Vegas 2024 Live Blog

Las Vegas 2024 Live Scores

The Las Vegas in the season 2024 is being played in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America at the Las Vegas Country Club. The tournament starts at the Thursday, 8th of February and ends at the Saturday, 10th of February 2024.
The Las Vegas is part of the LIV Tour in the season 2024. In 2024 all players competing for a total prize money of $20,000,000.
The course for the tournament at Las Vegas Country Club plays at Par 70.

Shortly before the Super Bowl, sports fans can already enjoy top golf in Las Vegas. The LIV Golf Tour is playing in ‘Sin City’ for the first time this year.

LIV Golf League live

LIV Golf is a relatively new tournament series that differs from traditional golf tournaments. Financially supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, LIV Golf is characterised by high prize money and a unique format. The tournaments are shorter, often only three rounds, and include both individual and team competitions, which is a departure from traditional golf.

The tournaments are conducted in a shotgun format with all players playing at the same time. The league consists of 13 teams, each one with four players including usually one team captain. LIV Golf hosts tournaments all over the world.

Categories
Live

Tyrrell Hatton to LIV Golf? The Brit could become Rahm’s new team member

Will Tyrrell Hatton join LIV Golf? (Photo: Getty)
Will Tyrrell Hatton join LIV Golf? (Photo: Getty)

Tyrrell Hatton could be the latest and possibly last addition for the 2024 LIV Golf season. At least that’s what the British newspaper The Telegraph reports. According to the newspaper, Hatton has joined Jon Rahm’s new LIV Golf team and signed a contract worth 50 million pounds (approx. 58.6 million euros).

Tyrrell Hatton in talks with LIV Golf

Tyrrell Hatton, ranked 16th in the world, would be a high-calibre addition to the league and has already gained experience with Jon Rahm as a team-mate, most recently at the Ryder Cup in Rome, where Rahm and Hatton competed successfully together. This is another reason why rumours about Hatton have persisted for weeks. When asked about this at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, he confirmed that he had held talks with LIV Golf, but also that he is still happy with his place on the traditional tours at the moment.

“I would say there are several people who have had conversations,” Hatton said in Dubai. “I think that’s part of golf at the moment, but I’m very happy playing on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour.”

Hatton’s move would also be a very last-minute one, as the LIV golf season starts this week in Mexico. According to the Telegraph, the Briton is also set to make his debut on the new tour there. Hatton is currently still listed in the field for this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. There has been no official announcement from Hatton, LIV Golf or Jon Rahm and his “Legion XIII” team regarding this new addition.

Speculation about new LIV Golf members

The same applies to almost all of the newcomers who are expected to fill the open spots in the 13 teams. Not even the team name for Rahm’s team has been officially confirmed at the moment, but there is speculation that Kieran Vincent, who qualified for the league via the LIV Promotions event, and amateur Caleb Surratt will join the team alongside Hatton.

The transfer of Adrian Meronk to LIV Golf, who is to find a place in Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks, has also allegedly been confirmed by Sports Illustrated. What is certain is that the Cleeks will be strengthened by Kalle Samooja alongside Kaymer and Richard Bland, as the captain himself confirmed in an interview with the National Club Golfer. Like Vincent, Samooja had also qualified via the promotional event. The third qualifier, Jinichiro Kozuma, is to be accommodated at Kevin Nas Iron Heads. Australian Lucas Herbert is also rumoured to be joining Cam Smith’s all-Australian Rippers team.

Most of these speculations should either be confirmed or proved wrong with the start of the LIV golf season on 2 February in Mexico.

Categories
Panorama

Milestones: Key moments that shaped the 2023 golf year

Greg Norman, the face of the LIV Tour (top left) and Allisen Corpuz as Major winner at Pebble Beach. (Photo: Getty)
Greg Norman, the face of the LIV Tour (top left) and Allisen Corpuz as Major winner at Pebble Beach. (Photo: Getty)

Over the past twelve months, golf has constantly evolved on various levels. All areas of golf are changing over time and are constantly experiencing key moments that point the development of the sport in a new direction. We take a look at various decisions, announcements and moments that have had a lasting impact on golf in 2023.

The OWGR turned down LIV Golf

The Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) announced in October that players in the LIV Golf League would remain excluded from the world ranking points. The decision resulted from a lack of comparability of the LIV format with other tours and problems such as a lack of cuts and questionable qualification methods. OWGR Chairman Peter Dawson emphasised that the rejection was not politically motivated, but was based on technical reasons. LIV Golf reacted angrily and questioned the trustworthiness of the OWGR system. However, Dawson emphasised that the rejection was not final and LIV could resubmit applications if they showed a willingness to compromise.

Sanctions and suspensions for LIV defectors

After months of discussion and speculation about possible sanctions to be imposed on LIV defectors from the DP World Tour, a decision was made in the middle of the year. The Tour officially imposed sanctions on players who had taken part in LIV Golf League and Asian Tour tournaments without authorisation. The offences against the “Conflicting Tour Regulation” were deemed reasonable and proportionate. The penalties, which include fines of up to £100,000 for each individual offence and possible tournament bans, were determined on an individual basis depending on the impact on broadcast partners, sponsors and DP World Tour stakeholders.

PGA-PIF-Deal: Merger of the tours

An earthquake in the golf world: the PGA Tour, the LIV Golf League and the DP World Tour unexpectedly merged under one umbrella at the beginning of June and immediately settled all legal disputes. The new merger, steered by the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), was the result of months of hostilities between the tours. An official statement said the parties have signed an agreement that brings together the rights and operations of the three tours involved “into a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that maximises excitement and competition among the game’s best players”.

Delay in the start of “The Golf League”

The premiere of “The Golf League” (TGL), which was originally scheduled to take place in January 2024, had to be postponed to 2025 at the end of the year after a power failure during construction work led to the collapse of the dome of the SoFi Centre on 14 November. Although no injuries were reported and most of the technology was unaffected, the incident had a huge impact on the schedule. The decision to postpone was made after discussions with key partners, including players, team owners, PGA Tour leadership and sponsors. The TGL is confident that the extension will improve the quality. League co-founders Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy expressed disappointment about the delay but remained optimistic about the future of the TGL.

Confirmed: Golf ball rollback will come into force

The USGA and R&A rule makers announced that the driving distance of golf balls will be reduced from January 2028. The new test procedures for the “ODS” (Overall Distance Standard) are intended to limit the effects of increased hitting distances and ensure the sustainability of the sport. The rule changes affect both professional and amateur players. For average male professionals, this means a loss of nine to eleven yards, while proettes can expect a loss of five to seven yards. Male amateur players could hit their ball three to five yards shorter. The far-reaching changes for the recreational sector will take effect from 2030.

PGA Tour players on the DP World Tour

From 2024, PGA Tour players will have the opportunity to compete on the DP World Tour. PGA Tour players ranked 126th to 200th in the FedEx Cup Rankings will receive full membership on the DP World Tour. In addition, all PGA Tour players competing in a Race to Dubai tournament in 2024 will be eligible for Affiliate Membership to earn Race to Dubai points and qualify for the 2024 DP World Tour Playoffs. A new category, “Category 12”, will allow five of these PGA Tour players per week to participate in DP World Tour events.

Progress in ladies’ golf

It is not only men’s golf that is undergoing constant development. A lot has also happened in women’s golf in 2023: never before has so much money been paid out in the women’s leagues as in 2023. On the LPGA Tour, there was a total of over 101 million dollars in prize money. In addition, the US Women’s Open was held at the legendary Pebble Beach golf course for the first time since the inaugural Women’s Major 72 years ago. This move marked a milestone for women’s golf and increased media exposure and financial support. The event also introduced shot tracker technology, enabling live shot tracking. The prize money was increased to a total of eleven million dollars – a lot of progress that promotes equality in women’s golf.

Categories
LIV Tour

LIV Golf: A look at the 2024 tournament calendar

14 tournaments are on the 2024 LIV Golf League tournament calendar. (Photo: Getty)
14 tournaments are on the 2024 LIV Golf League tournament calendar. (Photo: Getty)

LIV Golf enters its third round: After the tour was launched in 2022, the third season will begin in 2024. The league recently announced the locations where the 54-hole tournaments will take place next year. From Mexico to Australia and Saudi Arabia, the tour players will travel around the world. While not all the venues have been confirmed yet, it is certain that there will be 14 tournaments at which the players will compete for an individual and team championship.

LIV Golf: old acquaintances and new courses

The new schedule was published at the insistence of LIV player Brooks Koepka. On social media, the reigning Major winner was impatient about the scheduling of next year’s tournaments. But even after the dates have been published, players and fans will have to be patient. Not all venues have been confirmed yet. In addition to the venues, the exact dates for the season finals are still open.

  • 2/2-4: LIV Mayakoba — El Cameleon Country Club
  • 2/8-10: LIV Las Vegas — Las Vegas Country Club
  • 3/1-3: LIV Saudi Arabia — TBD
  • 3/8-10: LIV Hong Kong — Hong Kong Golf Club
  • 4/5-7: LIV “USA” — Location and course TBD
  • 4/26-28: LIV Adelaide — The Grange Golf Club
  • 5/3-5: LIV Singapore — The Serapong Golf Club
  • 6/7-9: LIV Houston — The Golf Club of Houston
  • 6/21-23: LIV Nashville — The Grove Golf Club
  • 7/12-14: LIV Andalucia — Real Club Valderrama
  • 7/25-28: LIV UK: Staffordshire — JCB Golf and Country Club
  • 8/16-19: LIV Greenbrier — The Old White Course at the Greenbrier
  • Date, Course and Location TBD: LIV Golf Individual Championships
  • Date, Course and Location TBD: LIV Golf Team Championships

“LIV Golf is the truly global golf league that the sport and its fans deserve,” said LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman. “We’re thrilled to announce an exciting slate of events that reflects our commitment to bringing world-class players and premier competition to new and repeat markets every year. Launching a new league is a massive undertaking, and we’re full steam ahead building off our incredibly successful first full season in 2023. Our goal has always been to create a worldwide league that inspires progress and attracts new fans to the sport that we love. LIV Golf is stronger than ever, and next season will accomplish that goal and more.”

A look at the schedule

In addition to the courses already familiar to LIV players, such as the Old White Course in Greenbrier or the Grange Golf Club in Australia, there are some new venues on the schedule. In February, for example, the tour will make a guest appearance at the Las Vegas Country Club in the middle of Las Vegas – on the same weekend as the Super Bowl, the final game of the National Football League. The courses on which the LIV tournaments will take place in Saudi Arabia and the USA have not yet been decided. The latter venue should be particularly interesting for the players, as it is the last tournament before the first Major of the year just one week before the Masters 2024.

It is also notable that this is the first schedule that has no connection to Trump Golf. In the first two seasons, the league repeatedly played on courses owned by the former president – as things stand, the tour will not be visiting any of Donald Trump’s well-known courses next year.

Saudi Arabia, the home of the LIV Golf League, has found its place in the schedule at the start of the season. Following the recent uproar over Saudi Arabia as the venue for the team final, which was ultimately played in Miami, the LIV players will travel to Saudi Arabia in March next year. This date overlaps with the traditional Saudi International, which shows the league’s efforts to reduce the travel burden for its players in 2024.

Categories
LIV Tour

LIV Golf: Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces in search for new player in Free Agency

While Dustin Johnson's 4Aces are still in search for a new player, Bubba Watson's roster is already complete. (Photo: Getty)
While Dustin Johnson's 4Aces are still in search for a new player, Bubba Watson's roster is already complete. (Photo: Getty)

The first transfer period in the history of golf is entering the hot phase – free agency. In this phase, teams with open roster spots can sign unsigned players from the Lock Zone and Open Zone. Players from the Lock Zone have completed the previous season in positions 1-24 and are therefore guaranteed a place in the coming season. These players can voluntarily become free agents and negotiate a new contract. Open Zone players who finished the season in 25th-44th place are automatically free agents and must sign a new contract. At the moment, ten roster spots are still vacant – four of the 12 teams are already complete. 4Aces GC captain Dustin Johnson among others is still in search for a new player.

LIV Golf: An overview of free agency

The situation in the second phase of the LIV Golf transfer period for the individual teams is explained below.

The overview of the current LIV Golf rosters. (Photo: LIV Golf)

4Aces GC

The 2022 LIV Golf Team Champions have one roster spot available with Pat Perez no longer under contract after finishing 28th in the points list, leaving Captain Dustin Johnson with the decision to either re-sign Perez or look for another player. Peter Uihlein, who joined the team from Smash GC last offseason, secured and accepted a contract extension with the 4Aces after his 12th place finish in this year’s Individual Standings. Rounding out the formidable squad is Patrick Reed, who finished 6th.

Cleeks GC

Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks have two open roster spots after Bernd Wiesberger and Graeme McDowell finished 41st and 42nd respectively in the Individual Standing and are now free agents. Kaymer remains as captain, receiving exempt status despite finishing in the Drop Zone (45th or below). Richard Bland re-signed with the Cleeks after his late-season surge locked up a spot with a 20th place finish.

Crushers GC

The reigning 2023 Team Champions, led by Captain Bryson DeChambeau, will return their entire roster. Anirban Lahiri, the team’s only player with an expiring contract, accepted his extension offer after finishing 11th in the Individual Standings. Charles Howell III, the winner of LIV Golf Mayakoba, finished 10th while Paul Casey remains under contract after finishing 35th.

Fireballs GC

Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs have one open roster spot after Carlos Ortiz, who finished 15th in the Individual Standings, opted for free agency after declining a contract extension offer. Abraham Ancer and Eugenio Chacarra, each under contract for at least one more season, finished in 26th and 32nd respectively.

Hyflyers GC

Phil Mickelson’s team has one open spot after James Piot was relegated after finishing 47th in the Drop Zone. Both Cameron Tringale (16th) and Brendan Steele (19th) are under contract and will return. Mickelson will look to add a player through free agency or the draft.

Iron Heads GC

Captain Kevin Na will add at least one new player due to Sihwan Kim’s relegation. Scott Vincent played his way into the Lock Zone in the regular-season finale in Jeddah and accepted his extension offer. Danny Lee, winner of LIV Golf Tucson, is under contract for next season.

Majesticks GC

Co-captains Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood return, as does Sam Horsfield, who rejoined the lineup late in the season following an injury and remains under contract.

RangeGoats GC

Captain Bubba Watson’s decision to acquire Talor Gooch last offseason proved successful after Gooch hoisted the 2023 Individual Championship trophy. The addition of Gooch helped the RangeGoats finish runners-up at this year’s Team Championship in Miami. Watson’s lineup is set as both Harold Varner III (7th) and Thomas Pieters (33rd) are under contract.

Ripper GC

With Matt Jones (37th) now a free agent and Jediah Morgan (46th) relegated, Captain Cameron Smith has the option to either re-sign Jones or look to add two new players via free agency or the draft. Marc Leishman, who completes the team, finished 18th in the 2023 Individual Standings.

Smash GC

Captain Brooks Koepka has one open roster spot following Chase Koepka’s relegation while Jason Kokrak (23rd) and Matt Wolff (27th) are under contract for another season.

Stinger GC

Captain Louis Oosthuizen’s team is set with Branden Grace (9th), Dean Burmester (14th) and Charl Schwartzel (38th) under contract.

Torque GC

Four-time tournament champions and third-place finishers at this year’s Team Championship, Joaquin Niemann’s Torque has one open roster spot heading into this offseason. Mito Pereira (8th) and Sebastian Muñoz (11th) secured their spots for next year while David Puig is a free agent, having finished 31st in this year’s Individual Standings. Thus, Niemann will look to add one player via free agency or the draft

LIV Golf: The remainder of the transfer period

Free agency will conclude when four league roster spots remain. These open spots are reserved for the winner of The International Series 2023 Rankings – claimed by Andy Ogletree this past weekend in Hong Kong – and the top three finishers from LIV Golf Promotions, which will be staged December 8-10 at the iconic Abu Dhabi Golf Club in United Arab Emirates. Following the qualifying tournament, the league will host the LIV Golf Draft through which these players will be drafted onto the remaining teams that have an open spot on their roster.

Additionally, to support opportunities for teams to strengthen their rosters once the season has begun, a mid-season trading window will take place in 2024 (exact dates to be announced) where teams and players will be free to negotiate trades as well as extensions to their existing contracts if a player is in the last year of his contract.

Text: With material from LIV Golf

Categories
Travel

Sotogrande claims the top two spots in latest Spanish Top 100 rankings 

Sotogrande is still one of the best places to play golf in Spain. (Picture: Sotogrande)
Sotogrande is still one of the best places to play golf in Spain. (Picture: Sotogrande)

World-famous Real Club Valderrama, is once again rated as the best golf course in the country. The 1997 Ryder Cup venue, located in the upper side of Sotogrande, which will soon play host to another elite field as the new LIV Golf league event comes to Sotogrande in June, remains one of the most revered courses in Europe.

All the best in one place

Sotogrande’s oldest golf course, Real Club Sotogrande, moved to second place in the national rankings, underlining the quality of courses in the destination, which is arguably unrivalled across Europe when proximity is factored in. 

Golf in Sotogrande is further bolstered by the presence of La Reserva Club at number 13 in the rankings, and the 27-hole Almenara Golf Club – recently redeveloped by legendary local golfer, Manuel Piñero – also featured within the list.  

Rita Jordao, Director of Sales & Marketing at Sotogrande SA, commented: “The latest Spanish rankings position Sotogrande as unequivocally the best golf destination in Spain. The strength of golf across the country is renowned, so it’s all the more pleasing for the golf courses within Sotogrande to be rated at the top.  

Home of the Ryder Cup

“We are constantly investing in our properties at Sotogrande SA, and alongside the other clubs in Sotogrande (Valderrama and Real Club Sotogrande), we are committed to continually providing best-in-class facilities for our residents, members and visitors.” 

The golf courses in Sotogrande have between them hosted the Ryder Cup, World Golf Championships, European Tour (DP World Tour) events, and Ladies European Tour events – including the recent Aramco Team Series. Within just a few kilometres radius, there are four championship golf courses: Real Club Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande, La Reserva Club, and Almenara Golf. 

60 Years of Sotogrande

In 2023 Sotogrande is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a plentiful calendar of events for its residents and visitors to enjoy, celebrating everything which is unique about the area and the amenities it offers. In addition to a 60´s party at La Reserva Club’s The Beach, Sotogrande Regatta will make its return with the Real Club Maritimo de Sotogrande.  

Moreover, the calendar will include outdoor cinema events and firework displays, as well as an exhibition polo match at Ayala Polo Club, and a golf tournament at La Reserva Club, with more events throughout the year in the planning stages.   

Various residentital offers

A key element of the Sotogrande lifestyle is its residential offering and the private communities situated within the confines of La Reserva. These communities are aimed at clients with varying budgets, from the most premium, The Seven (plot prices starting from €7,600,000), to Village Verde, a collection of luxury penthouses and apartments (prices starting from €750,000).   

The most recent development within La Reserva, Village Verde, which has launched its second phase for 2023, is comprised of 121 apartments that are nestled within six hectares of parkland, offering residents a unique sense of modern community. It also benefits from a plethora of amenities, including swimming pools, a gym, spa, jogging trails, and gardens – all of which are included in ownership packages.   

New five-star hotel

Sotogrande is home to an internationally acclaimed school. It also boasts a bustling Marina catering for its popular sailing community, and it has recently opened a brand-new five-star hotel. To find out more about the golf, residential, and lifestyle offering in Sotogrande, head online to https://sotogrande.com/.   

Written by Sotogrande

Categories
LIV Tour

US Open and British Open will not exclude LIV Golf players

LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golfers allowed to participate in major tournaments. (Photo: Getty)

Quietly, the US Open and the 2023 Open Championship are allowing LIV golfers to participate. Back in December, Augusta National announced that it would not exclude LIV players from the Masters, and now the US Open at LA Country Club and the British Open at Royal Liverpool are following suit. The major tournaments announced their qualifying criteria in February and the lists of players who have already qualified include LIV players.

The qualified LIV players get their eligibility mostly through past major victories, for example Martin Kaymer is still qualified for the US Open after his victory in 2014. However, due to the lack of world ranking points and the exclusion from the PGA Tour, it will be harder and harder for LIV players to qualify for the majors as long as there is no separate LIV criterion. However, the way is open for them, especially for US Open and British Open, via the qualifying tournaments.

LIV players at the US Open

Prior to last year’s edition, a statement from the USGA said, “We are proud to be the most open championship in the world, and those players who have earned the right to participate in this year’s championship, both by exemption and qualification, will have the opportunity to do so.” The same is true for 2023. The following LIV players are currently qualified for the US Open: Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Martin Kaymer (former U.S. Open winners for the past decade), Phil Mickelson (because of his 2021 PGA Championship victory), Cameron Smith (2022 Open Championship) and Joaquin Niemann (qualified for the 2022 Tour Championship).

In addition to major victories and the world rankings, there is the possibility of securing a place in the tournament via tournament victories, FedExCup and Race to Dubai, and for amateurs via various amateur competitions. In addition, the qualifying tournaments are open to all.

LIV players at the Open Championship

Also at the R&A and the Open Championship the motto of open competition is still valid. 13 current or former LIV players are qualified for the tournament in Royal Liverpool according to the current status:
Louis Oosthuizen, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Cameron Smith (former winners under 60), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau (top 10 at the 150th Open), Thomas Pieters, Adrian Otaegui, Adri Arnau, Richard Bland (top 30 in the final Race to Dubai 2022), Brooks Koepka (US Open win), Patrick Reed (Masters win), Joaquin Niemann, Talor Gooch (top 30 in the FedExCup 2022).

In addition to the qualifying criteria, there will be the Qualifying Series. There will be 16 spots across a series of Regional and Final Qualifying, as well as a total of 34 spots at tournaments on the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. Provided they are eligible to play on the tours, these tournaments are also open to LIV golfers in an attempt to gain a Major entry.

Categories
LIV Tour

405 Million Dollar – LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights

LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights. (Photo: Getty)
LIV Golf prize money reaches new heights. (Photo: Getty)

The sums involved can make your head spin. In its second season, the LIV Golf Invitational Series is handing out a whopping 405 million US dollars in prize money to individual players and teams. Even the last-place finisher in the individual rankings receives more for a tournament than the “average consumer” earns in a year. Four million dollars await the winners of the respective events.

25 million dollars LIV Golf prize money per event

The first of 14 events in the LIV Golf Invitational Series will start in Mexico on February 24, 2023. The Saudi circuit had already made no secret last year that the prize money would be lavish. If you add up all the prize money for the second year of the LIV Golf Tour, the total comes to 405 million US dollars. That this is significantly more than last year is due to the fact that there will now be 14 events instead of eight.

As is well known, the LIV Golf Events are played in individual and team format. Each of the 14 events will be endowed with 25 million dollars, 80 percent of which will go to the individual competition. A prize purse of $4 million awaits the winners of each individual format. By comparison, Scottie Scheffler received about $2.7 million for his victory at the 2022 Masters, perhaps the greatest of all golf tournaments. In the LIV Golf Invitational Series, there’s almost 1.5 times that for each “trade” tournament. Even 48th place, the last-place finisher in the individual standings, will receive a prize purse of $120,000 for every single LIV Golf event in 2023. In the team standings, the winning team will receive $3 million per event – so each player will get an additional $750,000 in hand money.

Bonus payments crown LIV Golf prize money

A team championship is also played out over the entire LIV Golf season. Whoever comes out on top at the end of the year will receive, who would have thought, another bonus: $16 million in prize money for the winning team – so that’s an additional $4 million for each of the four team members.

If you’re still not dizzy from all the money, you can take a look at the bonus payouts for the best individual players. Here, too, those responsible are making another 30 million dollars loose. The best player of the whole season will receive 18 million, the second best eight and the third best four. For Martin Kaymer, Dustin Johnson & Co., the new LIV season will bring a lot of money into the coffers.

LIV Golf Prize Money 2023

RankingPrize money in US-Dollar
1.4.000.000
2.2.125.000
3.1.500.000
4.1.050.000
5.975.000
6.800.000
7.675.000
8.625.000
9.580.000
10.560.000
11.540.000
12.450.000
13.360.000
14.270.000
15.250.000
16.240.000
17.232.000
18.226.000
19.220.000
20.200.000
21.180.000
22.172.000
23.170.000
24.168.000
25.166.000
26.164.000
27.162.000
28.160.000
29.158.000
30.156.000
31.154.000
32.152.000
33.150.000
34.148.000
35.146.000
36.144.000
37.142.000
38.140.000
39.138.000
40.136.000
41.134.000
42.132.000
43.130.000
44.128.000
45.126.000
46.124.000
47.122.000
48.120.000