LIV Golf, launched last year as an eight-event invitational series and currently in its first full season, is the professional golf league that is revolutionising the sport and inspired significant changes to the professional golf landscape.
Since its inception in 2022, it has caught the attention of players and fans around the world, though not without drama. LIV Golf created what many consider to be legitimate competition to the long-established PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the American and European circuits, through a new competition format, team play, and higher prize purses – all of which have attracted some of the biggest names in the game.
LIV Golf’s innovations to the competition and event experiences make it clear it is targeting a younger demographic. Shotgun starts provide a more condensed competition window, music plays throughout the course, players often wear shorts as part of their team kits, and a unique energy not often associated with the sport is undeniably present on site. As one of the league’s advertising messages makes clear, LIV is ‘The New Game of Golf’.
The name “LIV”, 54 in Roman numerals, refers to the perfect score of a round of golf; 54 is the scorecard with a birdie on each hole on a par 72 course. It has also been associated with the total number of holes played in each LIV Golf tournament corresponding to three rounds of 18 holes, as opposed to the traditional four-day, 72-hole competition with many other tours.
With a focus on growing golf by taking it to every corner of the globe, LIV Golf has positioned itself as a league with some of the best players in the world leading the charge, starting with golf legend Greg Norman, known as “The Shark”, as LIV Golf’s CEO and Commissioner.
2023 is LIV Golf’s first full season and the league is hosting a schedule of 14 global events with eight tournaments based in the USA and six international events taking place in Europe, Asia and Australia.
The first of the LIV Golf tournaments to arrive in continental Europe this year will be held from 30 June to 2 July at Real Club Valderrama. The course is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Southern Spain, Andalucía, with fans guaranteed to enjoy its climate, culture and cuisine.
RC Valderrama is one of the best courses in continental Europe and will be the setting for three days of sensational golf both for the spectators and the players. For two of LIV Golf’s stars especially, it will bring back memories of the 1997 Ryder Cup that Valderrama hosted. On that occasion, a European team with debutant Lee Westwood narrowly defeated the American line-up that included Phil Mickelson.
The location is also a favourite of Sergio García, who was the first Spaniard to win at the challenging Valderrama course. He won the Andalucía Masters there in 2011, 2017 and 2018. The Spanish legend is likely to be the biggest draw of the event, with European fans hoping for a fourth victory on the famous course.
PLAY FORMAT AND PRIZE MONEY
The 2023 LIV Golf League consists of 14 fixtures around the world. All season long, the 48 players compete amongst 12 teams that play three rounds with no cut and with all participants starting at the same time. Each player competes simultaneously for individual and team points and prize money. The league’s 2023 Individual Champion will be decided by points accumulated throughout the season and the Team Championship is decided at a season finale tournament.
The first of the 2023 LIV Golf tournaments to arrive in continental Europe will be held from 30 June to 2 July at Real Club Valderrama.
- 24 – 26 February – El Camaleón Golf Course at Mayakoba – Quintana Roo, Mexico
- 17 – 19 March – The Gallery Golf Club – Tucson, AZ
- 31 March – 2 Apr – Orange County National – Orlando, FL
- 21 – 23 April – The Grange Golf Club – Adelaide, Australia
- 28 – 30 April – Sentosa Golf Club (Serapong Course) – Singapore, Singapore
- 12 – 14 May – Cedar Ridge Country Club – Broken Arrow, OK
- 26 – 28 May- Trump National Golf Club – Washington, DC
- 30 June – 2 July – Real Club Valderrama – Sotogrande, Spain
- 7 – 9 July – Centurion Club – London, England
- 4 – 6 August – The Old White Course – White Sulphur Springs, WV
- 11 – 13 August – Trump National Golf Club (Bedminster) – Bedminster, NJ
- 22 – 24 September – Rich Harvest Farms – Chicago, IL
- 20 – 22 October – Trump National Doral Golf Course – Doral, FL
- 3 – 4 November – Royal Greens G&CC – King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia
- 5 November – Royal Greens G&CC – King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia (Stroke Play)
Every stroke counts in the individual event, and the winner will be the player with the lowest 54-hole stroke total. In the team event, the team’s best three scores count towards each team’s total for each round, and the franchises with the lowest cumulative score are crowned champions of that event.
The prize purse is another factor that has set LIV Golf apart, with 25 million awarded in each tournament. The winner takes away four million.
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
LIV Golf offers activities for the whole family at each tournament, including live music an interactive “Fan Village” and a festival-style atmosphere for attendees to enjoy food and drinks throughout the event.
Visit this link to find out more and to buy tickets: www.livgolf.com