Editorial – LIV Golf

It has been talked about for years, but LIV Golf made its debut this past June in London. Forty-eight players teed it up, with Charl Schwartzel the tour’s first winner. LIV Golf is not without controversy, as the government of Saudi Arabia is financially backing the tour and providing the prize money. Not only that, but for the first time in golf history, players signed guaranteed contracts to become part of the tour. Those who support LIV Golf’s efforts say it’s a breath of fresh air and that it’s about time the players got compensated as well as athletes in other sports. Those who support the PGA Tour and the other existing worldwide tours say that playing for history is more important and that LIV Golf is nothing but an exhibition, not real competition. In response to what LIV Golf is doing, the PGA Tour announced a series of lucrative $20 million events of its own, with The Players purse coming in at $25 million. In addition, there are other lucrative opportunities now being offered to PGA Tour players. The PGA Tour and the DP World Tour have suspended its current and former members who have played in LIV events. Legal opinions vary whether these tours have the legal right to do so and are almost certain to wind up in court over the matter. At present, the USGTF offers no official stance on LIV Golf.