LIV Golf

Then-World No. 2 Greg Norman helps announce the World Golf Tour, setting the stage for a new era in professional golf with an eight-event schedule.

The player won the Canadian Open with extra motivation due to the launch of LIV across the pond, aiming to surpass Greg Norman's 20 wins on the PGA Tour.

In January 2020, the Premier Golf League, conceived by British businessman Andy Gardiner, was making efforts to establish itself as a blueprint for team golf. The league was seeking to collaborate with the PGA Tour to enhance professional golf.

In June 2020, Rory McIlroy expressed his support for a potential merger between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, emphasizing the importance of doing it the right way and not allowing an outsider to come in and make changes.

In October 2021, Greg Norman was announced as the head of LIV Golf Investments, a newly formed organization that plans to host a 10-tournament series starting in 2022, with a commitment of at least $200 million for prize money.

The first LIV Golf tournament kicked off in London, marking the beginning of a new era in professional golf.

Following Mickelson's comments, numerous big-name players, including Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Collin Morikawa, expressed their loyalty to the PGA Tour and distanced themselves from LIV Golf during the Genesis Invitational and the subsequent days.

Greg Norman has written a strongly worded letter to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, expressing his discontent. The letter includes a sarcastic tone and implies tension between Norman and the PGA Tour.

During an annual press conference at the Players Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan delivers a response, indirectly addressing Mickelson and refusing to acknowledge Greg Norman or LIV Golf by name. He emphasizes the PGA Tour's focus on legacy over leverage.

The LIV Golf International Series announced 8 events to be held at 4 U.S. venues, with a total purse of $255 million. This news signifies a significant development in the world of golf and the LIV Golf initiative.

On 17 March 2022, Greg Norman announced the schedule for the first eight tournaments of the LIV Golf League. The tournaments feature 48 players drafted into 12 four-man teams, with no cut 54-hole format and significant prize money. The announcement marks a significant development in the world of golf.

Robert Garrigus becomes the first player publicly named and confirmed to have requested a conflicting-event release for the first LIV event.

Greg Norman discusses the negative impact of Mickelson's comments on the LIV series and expresses that Mickelson will always have an open door to compete in the LIV events.

Lee Westwood and Richard Bland confirm their requests for releases to compete in the first LIV event ahead of the British Masters.

A memo was sent to PGA Tour players denying conflicting-event releases for LIV Golf Invitational Series events. LIV Golf also announced a $2 billion investment and an expansion of the invitational events to 10 tournaments in 2023 and 14 tournaments in 2024 and 2025. The Tour also changed its eligibility for PGA Tour University.

Greg Norman vowed to defend, reimburse, and represent any player who faces potential discipline for playing in the inaugural event of the breakaway series. He also made a statement regarding Saudi Arabia's involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The PGA of America announced that Phil Mickelson will not attempt to defend his title at Southern Hills, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods in 2008 to not defend his PGA title.

Dustin Johnson, along with other top players, is announced as part of the field for LIV Golf's first event. This announcement comes after Greg Norman's statement about the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's additional funding from the Saudis.

The first LIV Golf event took place at the Centurion Club, featuring major champions and former world number ones like Dustin Johnson, Sergio García, and Lee Westwood. Johnson was reportedly paid a substantial amount to participate, leading to his resignation from the PGA Tour.

Kevin Na became the first member of the PGA Tour to resign in order to participate in LIV Golf. He expressed his hope for policy changes that would allow him to play on the PGA Tour again.

LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman revealed that Tiger Woods declined a lucrative deal to join the league, despite it being a 'mind-blowingly enormous' offer.

Phil Mickelson takes questions during a press conference ahead of the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club north of London.

Dustin Johnson announced his resignation from the PGA Tour on June 7, 2022, citing his decision to prioritize his and his family's best interests. This decision came after being paid a significant amount to participate in the LIV Golf series.

The PGA Tour announced that its members participating in the first LIV Golf tournament were no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup, and could face sanctions for playing in conflicting events without permission.

Charl Schwartzel emerged victorious in the first LIV Golf event, marking a significant milestone in the newly established golf series.

Brooks Koepka signed a deal with LIV Golf on June 21, 2022. This signing marked a significant move in the golf industry and garnered attention from golf enthusiasts and professionals.

PGA Tour Commissioner Monahan held a press conference at the Travelers Championship to address the threat posed by the LIV Golf Series and the tour's future plans. He outlined a new structure for the PGA Tour, including revisions to the FedEx Cup playoff season, the return of the calendar-based season, significant purse increases at eight events, and the implications for players joining the LIV Series.

LIV Golf hosts its second event at Pumpkin Ridge, just outside Portland, Ore. Branden Grace, then the 128th-ranked player in the world, takes home the $4 million top prize. Greg Norman is more visibly present and even trolls the PGA Tour on social media.

Tiger Woods delivers a blunt speech criticizing the players who have chosen to go to LIV Golf and play there, suggesting that they have turned their back on what has allowed them to reach their current position.

Cam Smith dismisses rumors of his imminent move to LIV Golf with an impatient non-denial during his post-tournament press conference after winning the Open.

The European Tour, now named the DP World Tour, imposes fines on players who participated in LIV events without approved releases and prohibits them from competing in co-sanctioned events with the PGA Tour, demonstrating the strength of their strategic alliance. However, some players secure a temporary stay through a UK court, enabling them to participate in the Scottish Open.

During LIV Golf's third event at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey, the tour's association with Donald Trump becomes evident. The former president receives significant applause, and participates in the pro-am alongside DeChambeau and Johnson. Stenson emerges as the winner, humorously remarking that he 'played like a captain.'

On August 2, 2022, Phil Mickelson and 10 other LIV Golf players filed a lawsuit against the PGA Tour challenging their suspensions. The lawsuit also involves seeking a temporary restraining order for three other LIV golfers to participate in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Eleven LIV golfers file an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour, alleging unlawful monopoly and restraint of trade. The suit, titled 'Mickelson et al. v. PGA Tour,' and filed in a U.S. District court in California, is originally set for a September 2023 trial.

The Telegraph reports that Cam Smith has signed a $100 million agreement with LIV.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are hosting a meeting with a group of PGA Tour players at the BMW Championship to address the ongoing impact of the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Cam Smith, the Open champion, signs with LIV Golf according to the report. This signifies a significant move for the golfer in his career.

The LIV Golf Invitational – Boston took place at The Oaks golf course at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts. Cameron Smith of Australia participated in the pro-am prior to the event.

LIV Golf is preparing to host its fourth event at The International near Boston, with six of the top 30 players on the Official World Golf Ranking participating.

Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, dismisses the possibility of PGA Tour and LIV Golf coexisting, indicating potential competition or conflict between the two entities.

LIV Golf formed a 'strategic alliance' with the MENA Tour in an effort to gain Official World Golf Ranking points. This alliance allows LIV Golf events to be sanctioned by the Dubai-based developmental tour, which is recognized by the OWGR.

LIV Golf members will not earn Official World Golf Ranking points in Bangkok or Jeddah, and the OWGR is reviewing changes to MENA Tour.

The MENA Tour announced significant changes to its membership structure and initial series of tournaments for the 2022-23 season, including the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok scheduled for October 7-9. The OWGR is conducting a review of these changes due to insufficient notice provided by the MENA Tour.

The MENA Tour's changes for the 2022-23 season also included the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah scheduled for October 14-16. The OWGR is currently reviewing these changes as the notice provided by the MENA Tour was deemed insufficient.

Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC celebrated their victory by spraying champagne on Team Captain Cameron Smith of Punch GC after winning the team championship stroke-play round of the LIV Golf Invitational in Miami. The event took place at Trump National Doral Miami.

Brooks Koepka, after expressing frustration with media coverage of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, is reportedly moving to the Saudi-backed breakaway golf league led by Greg Norman. He is set to debut at the second event at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

The Telegraph reported that LIV was seeking to replace Greg Norman with former TaylorMade CEO Mark King. However, LIV promptly denied the report, indicating potential internal turmoil.

Tiger Woods expressed his opinion during a news conference at Riviera Country Club, stating that Greg Norman should step down from his position. This adds to the growing sentiment that Norman should be replaced.

Atul Khosla, LIV Golf’s Chief Operating Officer, has resigned from his position, leaving the Saudi-backed circuit without one of its most experienced sports executives.

Augusta National Golf Club announced that eligible LIV players will be allowed to participate in the 2023 Masters tournament. This decision marks a significant step in the integration of LIV players into the traditional golf events.

LIV Golf and The CW Network have reached a multi-year TV deal, as reported on January 19, 2023. This agreement signifies a significant development in the broadcasting of LIV Golf events.

Augusta National issues a statement allowing LIV Golfers to play in the 2023 Masters, inviting all players eligible under their current criteria to compete. Chairman Fred Ridley expressed regret over recent actions that divided men’s professional golf and scolded the LIV defectors for diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it. The decision set a precedent as the first major to rule on the eligibility of LIV golfers, influencing the other three majors to follow suit.

A federal judge has handed a severe blow to LIV Golf's anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour, just days before the second season of LIV Golf is set to begin. This ruling could significantly impact the legal battle between the two golf leagues.

The PGA Tour approved significant schedule changes, including reducing fields in elevated events and ending cuts. The Global Home entrance is located near the public parking lot for The Players Championship.

In the first Masters since the launch of the tour, LIV golfers Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed finish T4 or better at Augusta. Kopeka even led through 54 holes while a 52-year-old Mickelson turned back the clock with a final-round 64 to finish T2. The fine showing ended any speculation about whether LIV’s model would lead to players not being as sharp for majors.

The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its probe into former President Donald Trump's handling of classified documents after leaving office. The investigation includes a subpoena of the Trump Organization for records related to LIV Golf and Trump's connections to the golf circuit supported by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

Phil Mickelson and other LIV Golf players were interviewed as part of the United States Department of Justice's antitrust investigation of the PGA Tour.

The Justice Department reportedly met with PGA Tour lawyers in Washington, D.C. to review the investigation into whether the Tour engaged in anticompetitive behavior against the LIV Golf League. A judge granted LIV Golf a stay of discovery pending appeal and ruled against PGA Tour in the latest filing.

LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and PGA European Tour announced a merger of their commercial rights into a new for-profit venture, funded by the Public Investment Fund, aiming to unify the game of golf on a global basis.

As of 11 December 2023, details about the format of the individual championship for the 2024 season have not been released. This anticipation adds to the excitement and speculation surrounding the upcoming season of the LIV Golf League.

Jury selection for the upcoming antitrust trial between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is scheduled to take place in January 2024.

Kim aims to earn enough points in the 2024 LIV Golf regular season events to secure a team place in the 2025 season.