LIV Golf heads off for a summer break now after its first three events as this week’s AIG Women’s Open and then the PGA Tour and its lucrative FedEx Cup Playoffs take centre stage.
This inaugural year of LIV Golf has so far been a rollercoaster for the sport and produced countless stories both inside the golfing world and in the wider sporting and general news sectors. Now that news may settle down a little bit with no tournaments for the month of August and the likelihood of no significant new player announcements, we can look back on these past six months and look at what might be coming in the years ahead.
This ‘pilot’ year of eight ‘Invitational’ series tournaments is just that, a pilot, and Greg Norman and his team will have quickly realised that they have potential to be a serious player in the world of golf over the coming years. Next year’s LIV Golf League will see a total of 14 tournaments and a roster of household names featuring Major champions, former World No.1s, Ryder Cup legends and stars from all continents.
There’s seems to be more to come, too, with the likes of Hideki Matsuyama and Cameron Smith just two of the big names rumoured to be joining later in the year. LIV has picked up an impressive line-up of players in 2022, especially when you think that back in April Robert Garrigus (then-World No.1043) looked like he might have been one of the headliners.
The lack of big names, along with the high profile Phil Mickelson controversy, took the wind out of the LIV sails, so to see it where it is today is impressive and surprising in equal measure. The Saudi-backed venture has certainly been a disruptor, leading to players being suspended from the PGA Tour, banned from the Scottish Open, fined £100,000, legal action and the removal of a Ryder Cup captain. Golf but louder is one of its straplines and LIV certainly hasn’t gone about its business quietly.
Perhaps the biggest downfall of LIV Golf as a product, for golf fans at least, is the lack of world ranking points and the fact that there is an exhibition feel to it. This will be a bug bear…
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