The LIV Golf circuit, powered by the Public Investment Fund, enters its third season this Friday. The tour features a Spanish narrative around Jon Rahm as a central attraction, against a backdrop of a shifting power dynamic. Talks of a potential alliance between American PGA Tour and LIV have reached a standstill, despite clear signals. The objective is to transform LIV into a global audiovisual product. In Spain, Movistar+ has sealed a new agreement to broadcast the events, introducing a revolutionary format whose impact could set the pace for the sport.
The Saudi Professional Golf League project arises from internal needs while LIV Golf emerged as a response to Western dominance in a sport with a long history. The project is driven by supporters led by former Australian golfer Greg Norman, with a system designed to benefit players through shorter events and enhanced financial rewards.
LIV Golf: no downtime and testing around the world
LIV Golf adopts a compact model compared to the PGA Tour. It runs three days of competition, three rounds, and 54 holes in a stroke-play format where every shot counts and players face each other directly. This setup allows audiences to see top players concurrently, rather than waiting through lengthy days of broadcasts.
The LIV schedule is global, comprising 14 events across various countries, including Spain. It is not a Saudi-only circuit. Only one event is hosted in Arabia, with five in the United States, and the circuit spans less than seven months.
LIV Golf 2024 calendar details include:
- 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: March 8-10, Hong Kong Golf Club
- Miami, USA: April 5-7, Trump National Doral
- Adelaide, Australia: April 26-28, Grange Golf Club
- Singapore: May 3-5, Sentosa Golf Club
- Houston, USA: June 7-9, Houston Golf Club
- Nashville, USA: June 21-23, venue to be announced
- Andalusia, Spain: July 12-14, Real Club Valderrama
- Rocester, United Kingdom: July 26-28, JCB Golf and Country Club
- Greenbrier, USA: August 16-18, Old White in Greenbrier
- Two additional events to be announced
Jon Rahm is set to debut in Spain on a Friday evening local time, with Movistar+ carrying the event. Movistar+ has secured broadcasting rights for 2024 and 2025 and operates dedicated channels for men’s and women’s LIV Golf events, PGA events, the European DP World Tour, and Ryder and Solheim Cups.
As with many Saudi-led ventures, deadlines in LIV Golf move quickly as part of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. The LIV Golf media guide is in progress, and Rahm’s squad has been named Legion XIII. Rahm is among 14 players on the circuit, a factor cited for his signing with the Saudi project.
Up to 14 teams inspired by Formula 1
Rahm has spoken about the appeal of being part of a team, emphasizing the experience of leadership and camaraderie beyond money. The contract value of 550 million, after a higher initial offer, underscores the emphasis on a long term team culture as part of LIV Golf. Other prominent players include Sergio Garcia and Eugenio Chacarra, with David Puig also part of the squad. Mexican golfer Abraham Ancer rounds out the team roster.
Legion XIII takes its name from a classic Roman unit, reflecting the team based approach and branding strategy similar to Formula 1. The crowd of players includes Tyrrell Hatton in negotiations that week, along with teammates Kieran Vincent and Caleb Surratt. LIV Golf structures its competition around team and individual metrics, creating parallel incentives.
The 14 LIV Golf teams and captains for 2024 are listed 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, Henrik Stenson
- Range Goats: Bubba Watson
- Predators: Cam Smith
- To Shatter: Brooks Koepka
- Needle: Louis Oosthuizen
- Torque: Joaquin Niemann
In the inaugural season, 4Aces claimed a team title with Dustin Johnson leading as an individual, while Talor Gooch topped personal earnings. The prize pool has been substantial, with team and individual rewards designed to provide financial stability irrespective of single results. Each event begins with a substantial purse that highlights the broader incentives built into LIV Golf.
Scoring in LIV Golf combines the three best individual scores for the team table. The player who finishes with the fewest strokes secures individual recognition. At season end, a Team Championship features only teams competing for the crown.
Although LIV Golf offers fewer events than the PGA Tour, the prize pool is notably larger. The circuit also awards rewards to players finishing last, reflecting a different economic model. Tournaments typically start with multi-million euro purses, with additional bonuses distributed at season end, contributing to a broad spectrum of financial opportunities for players.
From confrontation to negotiation between LIV and PGA
The story centers on a shift in golf power, with Saudi Arabia challenging the American PGA Tour’s dominance. The European Tour previously merged under growing pressures, and the PGA later absorbed it, while LIV Golf sought to loosen the grip of traditional power brokers. The debate includes critiques of competitive practices within the sport and the strategic repositioning of LIV Golf in the broader landscape.
Rahm has publicly navigated a shifting stance on LIV, with other stars like Brooks Koepka also expressing evolving views as the sport negotiates its direction. Phil Mickelson has acknowledged past remarks and emphasized the benefits he has seen in golf through history, while reaffirming a commitment to players and competition. The PGA Tour has adjusted its rhetoric as LIV players participate in majors organized independently, and 2024 has been identified as a likely year for closer alignment within the sport.
The timeline extended, yet Rahm’s involvement tilts the balance toward the Saudi-backed project. Rahm will make his LIV Golf debut at a venue where he began his professional career a decade ago, reflecting a continued arc of experience that has grown to more than 150 tournaments and substantial earnings.
Saudi Arabia aims for Rahm’s immediate impact
Saudi Arabia seeks rapid performance from its top players and views Rahm as a key ambassador behind Rahm. He sits among LIV’s leading players, following in the footsteps of other top stars who have shaped the public profile of the circuit. The goal is to accelerate viewership while maintaining a high level of competition.
The LIV operation has reached a balance after a period of expansion, with significant investments recorded in the pursuit of growth. Analysts note that continued negotiations with the Official World Golf Rankings are essential for LIV tournaments to earn ranking points, alongside potential returns of retired players who may enter the circuit. For Saudi Arabia, every season, every name, and every agreement matters in the broader strategy to shape world golf.