By Rahul Banerji
After a prolonged silence LIV Golf broke cover with the field for its inaugural Invitational Series tournament with Dustin Johnson playing the lead role.
With the announcement, the long-simmering confrontation between the professional golf world’s established powers in the form of the PGA and European (DP World) Tours is out in the open.
Both tours have said they would sanction golfers who broke from their ranks to join Greg Norman’s “rebel” initiative that has lucrative backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
In the grey zone are organisers of the majors – starting with the US Open in late June and The Open in July – besides golf’s ruling entity, the Royal and Ancient.
Former world number one and two-time major winner Johnson caps an initial group of 42 for the opening event at Centurion Club in London from June 9 to 11.
A further six players will be added, five from the Asian Tour’s International Series that begins on Thursday in Newcastle, and one sponsor’s invitee.
The 42 named late on Tuesday include three former world toppers and have a combined eight major titles between them, the LIV Golf website noted.
The group comprises 26 of the top 150 golfers in the world, as well as leading players from across the worldwide professional Tours. More than 170 applications were received, the organisation said.
Big names, or fading forces?
Among other prominent names who have signed up are Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
Missing is early frontman Phil Mickelson, who has dropped out of public view following publication of his controversial views on Saudi Arabia, major backers of the LIV Group.
Also on board is Thai amateur superstar Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwatand organisers said they would bring together NCAA National Championship and US Amateur Championships winners as well.
“The field will compete for $25 million in golf’s most exciting new format with the chance to become the first individual and team champions for LIV Golf,” the statement said.
“Free agency has finally come to golf,” said Norman, who is CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf.
“This is an opportunity to start a movement that will change the course of history by bringing new and open competition to the sport we all love
Solid belief
“The desire shown by the players to participate demonstrates their emphatic belief in our model and confidence in what we’re building for the future
“We couldn’t be happier at the diversity of our field, featuring players from around the world including major champions and those making their debut with us competing in their first professional event.
“We can’t wait to start our journey at Centurion Club with this group of first movers who are committed to growing the game in new and exciting ways.”
The Centurion Club event coincides with the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open.
The 48-strong field will be divided into 12 teams of four to be determined at The Draft on Tuesday, June 7.
LIV Golf will appoint 12 team captains who will then select players in the first round in order of reverse OWGR ranking, and for the second and third rounds via a snake format. Team names and logos will also be unveiled at The Draft, the statement added.
“The first seven regular season events will consist of three 18-hole rounds with no cut, and shotgun starts to ensure a faster and more exciting pace of play.
“The eighth and final event will be a four-day team match-play seeded knockout.
Event format
“Each Regular Season event will essentially be two simultaneous competitions – an individual and team event. The individual winner will be the player with the lowest 54-hole stroke play total.
“For the team competition, the best two stroke play scores will count for each team for the first two rounds.
“For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner.”
But before that is the Asian Tour’s second International Series event also backed by LIV Golf that will fill out the field for the Centurion event.
LIV Golf Invitational schedule
London, Centurion Club, June 9 to 11
Portland (USA). Pumpkin Ridge, June 30 to July 2
Bedminster (USA), Trump National GC, July 20 to 31
Boston, Greater Boston, September 2 to 4
Chicago, Rich Harvest Farms, September 16 to 18
Bangkok, new course at Pathum Thani, October 7 to 9
Jeddah, Royal Greens GCC, October 14 to 16
Miami, Team Championship, Trump National Doral, October 27 to 30
Also read: Asian Tour on the move, in England for International Series opener
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