HE LIVE GolfProfessional circuit powered by Public Investment Fund The third season from Saudi Arabia starts this Friday. IT Spaniard doing it with Jon Rahm as a great attraction and in a new power scenario. In talks for a possible alliance American PGA -formerly the arch-enemy- is at an impasse, despite being clear. And we face the great challenge of becoming a global audiovisual product. Inside Spain He signed a new agreement with Movistar+. The format is revolutionary but its impact will set the pace.

The Saudi Professional Football League project responds first and foremost to an internal need, but LIV Golf was born as a result of breaking the Western hegemony in a centuries-old sport. To achieve this, supporters of the project, led by former Australian golfer Greg Norman, A system that benefits players: less time in matches and more economic benefits.

LIV Golf: without downtime and with testing all over the world

While the PGA Tour features four-day tournaments spread over four rounds and 72 holes LIV Golf prefer a shorter approach: three days of competition, three rounds, 54 holes (as indicated by the Roman numerals of the name). In addition, as stated in the promotional materials, LIV Golf events do not take breaks and are played in ‘stroke game’ mode. That is, all hits count and all players compete against each other.

Therefore, all the major players can be seen at the same time, unlike what happens in traditional tournaments where you have to wait to see the greats in action after long broadcast days. Days when not even all the matches were broadcast.

The LIV Golf calendar is global and includes 14 events in countries around the world, including Spain. This is not a Saudi circuit. In fact, there is only one event being held in Arabia and five in the US (one of which is at a venue owned by the Trump Organization). The duration of the entire cycle is less than seven months.

LIV Golf 2024 calendar is as follows:

  • Mayakoba (Mexico): February 2-4. El Camaleon Golf Course
  • Las Vegas (USA): February 8-10. Las Vegas Country Club
  • Jeddah, Saudi Arabia): March 1-3. Royal Greens Golf and Country Club
  • Hong Kong: 8-10 March. Hong Kong Golf Club
  • Miami (USA): 5-7 April. Trump National Doral
  • Adelaide (Australia): 26-28 April. Grange Golf Club
  • Singapore: May 3-5. Sentosa Golf Club
  • Houston (USA): June 7-9. Houston Golf Club
  • Nashville (USA): June 21-23. protect
  • Andalusia (Spain): 12-14 July. Real Club Valderrama
  • Rocester (United Kingdom): 26-28 July. JCB Golf and Country Club
  • Greenbrier (USA): 16-18 August. Old White in Greenbier

  • Two separate tournaments remain to be announced

Jon Rahm’s debut can be followed in Spain on Friday from 19:15 (13:15 local time). Movistar+, the platform on which LIV Golf signed an agreement for 2024 and 2025. The Spanish company has two channels dedicated solely to this sport, broadcasting men’s and women’s competitions, PGA events, the European DP World Tour, Ryder and Solheim Cup.

As with most of the sporting events Saudi Arabia organizes during its expansion phase under its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy, deadlines are being pushed as fast as possible. The page leading to the LIV Golf ‘Media guide’ is under construction and still unearthed this Tuesday Jon Rahm’s team will be called Legion XIII. He is one of 14 competing on the circuit and one of the reasons why one Barrika signed for the Saudi circuit.

Up to 14 teams inspired by Formula 1

“The money is great, but I play golf not for the money, but because I love the game. As a husband and father, I have to take advantage of these opportunities. But there are other factors, too. It is very special to be part of a team, to be its captain, to lead my teammates.“Rahm, a well-known Athletics fan, claimed this is why he feels he identifies with a team’s culture of following and defending their colors.

Although the economic factor is important, the Spanish golfer signed a contract worth 550 million after rejecting the first offer of 400 million. There are other national players in the Saudi circuit: Sergio Garcia, captain of the ‘Fireballs’ team they play for Eugenio Chacarra And David Puig. Mexican Abraham Ancer completes the squad.

Rahm chose the name Legion XIII, named after the famous military formation used by the Roman Empire and which played a key role in events such as the Gallic War. LIV Golf’s star transfer adds teammate ‘extremity’ to this new adventure. The talks with the British in the same week were productive Tyrrell Hatton16 in the world rankings, the fifth best player in the world. Completing the quartet Kieran Vincent And Caleb Surratt. The logic is similar to that of Formula 1 teams, and each has its own communication or brand strategy.

The 14 teams and captains of LIV Golf 2024 are as follows:

  • 4Aces: dustin johnson
  • Cleeks: Martin Kaymer
  • Breakers: Bryson DeChambeau
  • Fireballs: Sergio Garcia
  • HyFlyers: Phil Mickelson
  • Iron Heads: Kevin Na
  • Legion XIII: Jon Rahm
  • Your Majesty: Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson
  • Range Goats: Bubba Watson
  • Predators: Cam Smith
  • To shatter: Brooks Koepka
  • Needle: Louis Oosthuizen
  • Torque: Joaquin Niemann

4Aces became champions in the inaugural season dustin johnson as an individual leader, formerly an American Talor Gooch The winning team was the team that achieved the most points and profits while loa crushers. Gooch tops the prize table in LIV Golf’s holdings with 46.49 million to Johnson’s 44.44. Contract logic with closed base compensation provides the stability players seek in the face of volatility in rewards that are entirely dependent on performance.

Looking at the format, golfers’ three best scores in individual competitions are added to the team table. The player who finishes the half with the fewest strikes also receives individual recognition. At the end of the season, an event called Team Championship is held where only teams play.

Although the number of LIV Golf events is fewer than the 40 tournaments offered by the PGA, the fee pool is noticeably larger. Similarly, the Saudi circle even offers rewards to those who are classified last. Each tournament starts at 23 million euros, approximately 18 for individuals and five for teams. This includes another four million each winner will receive from LIV Tour and a special bag in end-of-season testing. Benefits everywhere.

From confrontation to negotiation between LIV and PGA

There is a story about Saudi Arabia winning against the American PGA Tour, which holds the hegemony of world golf. After the arrival of the European Tour. Eventually it even lost its name, and faced with the Arab threat, the PGA decided to absorb it. Suddenly there was money in the American circuit. But not even with the threats or sanctions that LIV Golf promoter Greg Norman is considering. “anti-golfers and anti-competitive”; plugged the leak.

Jon Rahm himself experienced the most remarkable change of heart. But other notable names did the same: Brooks Koepka He stops short of accusing the media of spreading a “dark cloud” over the US Open “For talking so much about LIV” sign like the others. The contradiction also emerged as follows: Phil Mickelson won six majors. “It is true that I have said and done many things that I regret. I am sorry. I certainly do not condone human rights violations, but at the same time I have seen the benefits of golf throughout history. That’s why I’m here,” he justified.

Even the PGA itself changed its rhetoric when it failed to prevent LIV golfers from participating in independently organized ‘majors’. So much so that 2024 is suggested as the year when the gap in this sport will be closed. Last December 31 was determined as the agreement date between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

The ‘deadline’ was extended, but with Rahm’s inclusion the forces shifted towards the Saudi side of the test. Interestingly, the Spaniard will make his debut at LIV Golf, where he made his professional debut 10 years ago. It was at the PGA Tour’s OHL Classic in Mayakoba. has accumulated since then More than 150 tournaments experience and 47 million Euros in winnings.

Saudi Arabia wants Rahm’s immediate return

Saudi Arabia is not willing to become a bottomless bank, as seen in football. He wants instant performance and the Basque player, world number three (LIV’s best), is there too. Behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, will carry the role of tournament ambassador on his shoulders. The main aim is to increase the number of viewers; That’s something big names like Mickelson, Koepka or Johnson haven’t been able to achieve.

The circuit financed by the Public Investment Fund was only able to achieve balance last season. After that 1,830 million euros invested to finance expansion According to ‘Sportico’ data, the next campaign may require another large investment of 1,000 million.

In addition, LIV needs to expedite negotiations with the Official World Golf Rankings for its tournaments to receive points. All without stopping to increase the cast, Names such as Anthony Kim may also attend., will return after twelve years of retirement with the dilemma of hot periods. For Saudi Arabia, every tournament, every name and every positive agreement is a step towards dominating world golf.