LIV Golf: How the Controversial Tour is Reshaping Professional Golf

In 2022, LIV Golf burst onto the scene and shook the golf world to its core. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, this breakaway golf league promised massive prize purses, team-based competition, and a new fan experience — but it also brought controversy, criticism, and questions about the future of the sport.

What is LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is an upstart professional golf tour that takes a radically different approach from the PGA Tour. Instead of four-day events with large fields, LIV features:

• 54-hole tournaments (three rounds)
• Shotgun starts (all players begin at the same time on different holes)
• No cuts (every player competes all three days)
• Team format alongside individual play

The “LIV” in its name comes from the Roman numeral for 54, representing the number of holes played.

 

Why It’s Controversial

 

LIV Golf’s funding comes from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, sparking accusations of “sportswashing” — using sports to improve a country’s global image despite human rights concerns. Critics argue the tour is undermining golf’s traditions, while supporters say it’s bringing fresh excitement and opportunity to the game.

 

Big Names, Big Money

 

What really turned heads was LIV Golf’s ability to lure top PGA Tour players with staggering paychecks. Stars like Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson reportedly signed deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars. LIV events also offer $25 million purses — far exceeding most PGA Tour events.

 

The PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf

 

The PGA Tour responded strongly, suspending players who joined LIV from competing in its events. This led to legal disputes and a deeper rift in professional golf. However, in 2023, talks of a merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf made headlines, hinting at a possible future where the tours could coexist in some form.

 

How Fans Are Reacting

 

Fans are split. Some love LIV Golf’s faster pace, team rivalries, and big-name players. Others see it as a threat to golf’s history and legacy. Regardless of opinion, LIV Golf has succeeded in making people talk about the sport more than they have in years.

 

The Future of LIV Golf

 

Whether LIV Golf will become a permanent fixture or fade away remains to be seen. What’s certain is that it has forced the PGA Tour to adapt, increase prize money, and rethink its approach to fan engagement. In that sense, LIV Golf has already changed the game — for better or worse.