Australia part of LIV expansion plans for 2023 – Golf Australia Magazine
The full LIV Golf League schedule was not announced on Wednesday but the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway circuit said events would be played across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
A spokesperson for the. PGA Tour of Australasia on Thursday told AAP its organisation had not been consulted about any LIV golf tournaments being held in the country.
The spokesman said, regardless, the local Tour was more intent on forging ahead with more than 10 tournaments this summer, including the long-awaited return of the Australian Open following the cancellation of the past two editions because of COVID-19.
Just as with the LIV Golf Invitational Series, which launched in June, LIV Golf League will feature simultaneous team and individual play.
The 48 contracted players, who will be part of 12 “team franchises”, will be competing for an unprecedented $US585 million ($A837 million) in prize purses.
LIV said the schedule would not compete with the majors, international team events or heritage events “so the best players in the game will always be able to make their own choices about where to play”.
Between League events and International Series tournaments, LIV Golf will stage 25 tournaments worldwide in 2023.
According to LIV, teams will be led by one captain who will be able to build the franchise in an effort to gain the greatest fan following and sponsor interest.
LIV Golf League will also offer opportunities for promotions and relegations through the International Series. There will also be an end-of-season LIV Golf Promotions event offering an opportunity for new talent to enter the league.
The third event of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series is being held this week at former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey.
Trump and his son Eric will play a pro-am event with major championship winners Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau on Thursday, according to a source with the Saudi Arabia-funded series.
Meanwhile, American insurance company Mutual of Omaha has ended its sponsorship of Henrik Stenson, after the Swede joined LIV.
Stenson, who won the 2016 Open Championship, was stripped of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup captaincy last week, hours before he announced his decision to join the breakaway league.
