The Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series started hosting its maiden tournament this week at the Centurion Club, a private country club located just outside London. This week is the first time the public got a chance to see the new league in action after a lot of back-and-forth in recent years.
LIV Golf Tour is a start-up tour aiming to challenge the PGA Tour. Because of the Saudi Arabian government’s financial support, it was initially known as the “Saudi Golf League.”
The first season will have eight tournaments. Professionals will no longer be required to commit to a complete calendar and will instead be compensated per event. With a total purse of $225 million, the first tournament in London will give $20 million, and the tour’s most renowned golfers have received nine-figure salaries in exchange for leaving the PGA Tour.
For the PGA Tour, players must choose between competing in PGA Tour and LIV Golf events. The following players were suspended from participating in the PGA after deciding to participate in LIV Golf events:
- Sergio Garcia
- Talor Gooch
- Branden Grace
- Dustin Johnson
- Matt Jones
- Martin Kaymer
- Graeme McDowell
- Phil Mickelson
- Kevin Na
- Andy Ogletree
- Louis Oosthuizen
- Turk Pettit
- Ian Poulter
- Charl Schwartzel
- Hudson Swafford
- Peter Uihlein
- Lee Westwood
