Breakaway golf tour announces new league with 14 events

By Rahul Banerji

LIV Golf took the next step towards expanding its reach, announcing a more fixed shape and schedule from 2023.

The Saudi Arabia-backed tour will transition its Invitational Series into a Golf League with 48 players and 12 established franchises competing in a 14-tournament schedule.

Event dates will be announced later and tournaments are expected across North and Latin America, Asia, Australia, West Asia and Europe.

There was more for the Asian Tour which will see the $300 million International Series also being expanded.

Aimed at getting ranking points for its players estranged from the PGA Tour and DP World (European) Tour, the series will be held in Thailand, England, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, Indonesia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and other new locations.

Tournaments will be broadcast across the globe and showcase an international field of headline and next-generation talent, the Greg Norman-fronted organisation said.

More events

In total, LIV Golf will deliver 25 tournaments worldwide in 2023.

“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf ecosystem,” said series CEO and Commissioner Norman on livgolf.com.

“Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with.

“The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars.”

The LIV Golf League will continue to feature team and individual competitions for $405 million in prize purses, the website said.

Season-ender

The season will culminate in a Team World Championship match play final and to start with, the 2023 league schedule will not compete with the Majors, international team events or heritage events.

Each team will be led by one full-time captain and follow a franchise model akin to other sports, a move aimed at helping the squads generate their own finances as well.

Captains will compete and have the ability to build their franchises as they see fit in an effort to gain the greatest fan following and sponsor interest.

Opportunities for promotions and relegations are sought to be created through the LIV Golf International Series. The catch for Asian Tour hopefuls is that the bar has been set high, as already reported

The format will include broad exemption categories to help broaden the pool while an end-of-season LIV Golf Promotions event will provide further opportunity for new talent, it added.

Meanwhile, the third Invitational Series tees off in Bedminster, New Jersey from Friday.

Also read: Asian Tour hopes face a hit with LIV Golf relegation plans