Tag: LIV Golf Boston

2022 LIV Golf Boston prize money payouts for each player at The International

Dustin Johnson is taking home nearly $5 million.

Dustin Johnson earned nearly $5 million on Sunday.

He made an eagle putt on the first playoff hole to beat Anirban Lahiri and Joaquin Niemann and win the LIV Golf Invitational Boston event at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts. He earned $4 million for the individual victory, and his 4 Aces won the team title, too, netting Johnson an additional $750,000.

Sihwan Kim, who shot 87 in the first round, 63 in the second and finished with a 76 on Sunday for a 16 over total, earned $120,000.

Cameron Smith, the world No. 2, earned just over $1 million after finishing a shot outside of the playoff at 14 under in his first LIV event. It was the first playoff of the four LIV Golf events thus far. Four more are scheduled this year, with the next coming at Rich Harvest Farms in Chicago in two weeks.

Check out the full prize money payouts for each player in Bolton, Massachusetts, outside of Boston.

LIV Boston: Teams | Leaderboard

LIV Golf Boston 2022 prize money

Position Player Score Earnings
1* Dustin Johnson -15 $4,000,000
T2 Anirban Lahiri -15 $1,812,500
T2 Joaquin Niemann -15 $1,812,500
T4 Lee Westwood -14 $1,012,500
T4 Cameron Smith -14 $1,012,500
6 Talor Gooch -13 $800,000
7 Jason Kokrak -12 $675,000
8 Abraham Ancer -11 $625,000
T9 Sergio Garcia -10 $560,000
T9 Louis Oosthuizen -10 $560,000
T9 Kevin Na -10 $560,000
12 Branden Grace -9 $450,000
T13 Sadom Kaewkanjana -8 $315,000
T13 Matthew Wolff -8 $315,000
T15 Charles Howell III -7 $240,667
T15 Pat Perez -7 $240,667
T15 Bernd Wiesberger -7 $240,667
T18 Bryson DeChambeau -6 $215,333
T18 Richard Bland -6 $215,333
T18 Ian Poulter -6 $215,333
T21 Paul Casey -5 $171,200
T21 Laurie Canter -5 $171,200
T21 Cameron Tringale -5 $171,200
T21 Scott Vincent -5 $171,200
T21 Martin Kaymer -5 $171,200
T26 Jediah Morgan -4 $160,000
T26 Brooks Koepka -4 $160,000
T26 Matt Jones -4 $160,000
T26 Carlos Ortiz -4 $160,000
T26 Marc Leishman -4 $160,000
T31 Phachara Khongwatmai -3 $151,000
T31 Chase Koepka -3 $151,000
T31 Patrick Reed -3 $151,000
T31 Harold Varner III -3 $151,000
T35 Shergo Al Kurdi -2 $144,000
T35 Charl Schwartzel -2 $144,000
T35 Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra -2 $144,000
38 Sam Horsfield -1 $140,000
39 Graeme McDowell E $138,000
T40 Phil Mickelson 2 $134,000
T40 Hudson Swafford 2 $134,000
T40 Shaun Norris 2 $134,000
43 Wade Ormsby 4 $130,000
T44 Peter Uihlein 5 $127,000
T44 Adrian Otaegui 5 $127,000
46 Turk Pettit 6 $124,000
47 James Piot 13 $122,000
48 Sihwan Kim 16 $120,000

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Dustin Johnson jars eagle putt to win LIV Golf Invitational Boston event on first playoff hole

It came down to the 55th hole.

Dustin Johnson’s putt was coming in hot.

He smashed an eagle putt up the hill on the 18th green at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts, knowing if it went in, he would win. It carried speed when hitting the back of the hole, bounced up and them tumbled in.

Johnson’s eagle putt gave him a victory on the first playoff hole at the LIV Golf Invitational event in Boston, the series fourth event. It is the first time there has been a playoff, and Johnson is the first American to win a LIV event.

“It’s a great victory,” Johnson said “Obviously we’ve got a great field, a lot of great players. Yeah, it’s up there for sure.”

Johnson beat Joaquin Niemann and Anirban Lahiri, who both were playing in their first LIV event after leaving the PGA Tour, in the playoff. Lahiri had a short birdie putt and Niemann had one for par when Johnson made his eagle.

Lahiri missed a short eagle putt on the 18th hole that would’ve given him an outright victory.

The 4 Aces, which is Johnson’s team and also consists of Talor Gooch, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed, won their third straight event, ending at 32 under. Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers finished second at 30 under while Lee Westwood’s Majesticks came in third at 27 under.

“I felt like we had a really good read on it,” Johnson said of his putt. “I might have hit it a little harder than I wanted to, but as soon as I hit it, I’m like, ‘whoa,’ and then it was on a good line, and I’m like, ‘hit the hole, hit the hole, hit the hole,’ and it went in somehow. I think the hole is indented for sure.”

Lee Westwood made a bogey on the final hole to finish one shot out of the playoff at 14 under. Cam Smith, the world No. 2, bogeyed his second-to-last hole and also finished at 14 under in his LIV Golf debut.

LIV’s next event is in Chicago at Rich Harvest Farms in two weeks.

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Dustin Johnson’s red-hot putter, a 24-stroke turnaround among Saturday takeaways at LIV Golf Boston

Johnson’s last win came in February 2021 at the Saudi International.

Thirty-six holes down, 18 to go in Bolton, Massachusetts, for LIV Golf Boston at The International. The par-70 track has been challenging so far this weekend, but it has also been vulnerable to low scores.

Just ask Dustin Johnson, who used a red-hot putter to fire a second-round 7-under 63. Johnson’s last win came in February 2021 at the Saudi International.

While his fellow-newcomer Joaquin Niemann lurks near the top of the leaderboard, world No. 2 Cameron Smith fell back Saturday. He’ll need something low Sunday to give himself a chance.

If you missed the second round, here are a few takeaways from the day outside Boston.

LIV Boston: Teams | Leaderboard

Greg Norman announces LIV players will be allowed to wear shorts; Phil Mickelson says it’s ‘a long time coming’

This seems like a dream announcement for Phil Mickelson.

For the last few years, shorts during competition has been a heavily debated topic on the PGA Tour. With high temperatures during summer events, especially during the Florida swing, media and fans alike have wondered whether it’s time to allow shorts on Tour during competition — shorts have been allowed during practice rounds since February 2019.

After the first round of LIV Golf Boston at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts, Greg Norman, the CEO of the Saudi-backed league, announced via social media that LIV members will be allowed to wear shorts during competition, starting with the second round in New England.

LIV players had previously been allowed shorts during practice rounds and pro-ams.

Count Phil Mickelson among those applauding the move.

“I think this is a long time coming in the game of golf. I think it just takes a disruptor like LIV to get things done,” he said after Saturday’s second round.

“I’ve been wanting to wear shorts playing for a long while,” said Sergio Garcia. “You know, it’s nice. I think it’s just another step forward towards getting more connected with the fans, making the game younger, fresher. I’m glad that we all decided to take this step forward, and it’s fun.”

As for the on-course action Saturday, Matthew Wolff and Talor Gooch hold the first-round lead at 7 under, followed closely by newcomer Cameron Smith, who fired a 6-under 64 in his LIV debut.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.

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‘It looked like a good time’: Fans and newcomer Cam Smith enjoying laid-back atmosphere at LIV Golf Boston

The world No. 2 opened his LIV Golf career with a 6-under 64.

BOLTON, Mass. — LIV Golf isn’t going anywhere.

Many have already come to terms with this, but after walking around The International during the first round of LIV Golf Boston, it has officially settled in.

The atmosphere is laid-back and inviting, with music blasting from seemingly every direction. It’s hard to get out of earshot of today’s hits and classic throwbacks.

The fan zone is filled with different activities including putting and chipping challenges, corn hole and offers any kind of cuisine you’re craving. And, of course, an unlimited supply of adult beverages.

Credit to the attendees, once the golf was underway, the fan zone cleared right out.

2022 LIV Golf Boston
A cleared-out fan zone once play got underway Friday at The International for LIV Golf Boston. (Photo by Riley Hamel/Golfweek)

For many in-touch golf fans, ones who keep up with the inner workings of LIV Golf and where the funding comes from, it’s impossible to separate the product from the backer. But for fans in Boston, they’re just looking to watch some golf and have a good time.

LIV Boston: Teams | Leaderboard

It’s hard to blame them. Professional golf rarely makes its way to New England anymore. The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, hosted the U.S. Open a few months ago and TPC Boston was the home of the Deutsche Bank and Northern Trust (which was last held in 2020), but outside of that, the Boston area has been starved of high-level golf.

Enter LIV.

“It looked like a good time,” golf fan Samuel Turner told Golfweek. “I’ve never been to a PGA Tour event, so thought I’d check it out.” Turner, a Massachusetts local, wasn’t able to get tickets to the U.S. Open.

World No. 2 Cam Smith seems to be enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, too.

“Mate, so excited. I feel like I’ve been to a lot of golf events and the last hour has been unreal. Can’t wait,” he told LIV announcer Dom Boulet before teeing off No. 1 Friday.

Cameron Smith of Australia during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Boston at The Oaks golf course at The International on September 1, 2022, in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

On Thursday, the Aussie was all smiles playing in the pro-am with his good friend and countryman, Marc Leishman.

He was a fan favorite during the first round, with a large gallery following him step for step from the moment he pegged it.

Even late into the day, fans were jumping ahead to get a glimpse of the second-best player in the world.

2022 LIV Golf Boston
A large crowd awaits world No. 2 Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson on the 16th hole at The International during the first round of LIV Golf Boston. (Photo by Riley Hamel/Golfweek)

“I’m just here for Cam,” Stephanie Lull, a member of his traveling entourage, said.

“It was great fun out there today,” Smith said after his round. “Obviously, with DJ, nice to see a familiar face.”

The 29-year-old finished his LIV debut with a 6-under 64, thanks in part to a long eagle putt at the 18th and shots like this on 16.

However, not everyone is happy about the Saudi-backed league hosting an event in their backyard.

A group called the Massachusetts Peace Action was protesting Friday with signs that said “Saudi Money is Blood Money” and “Saudi Arabia kills journalists and kids in Yemen.”

Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.

Although the crowds weren’t overly substantial, outside of the herds following Smith and other stars like Bryson DeChambeau, expect them to expand over the holiday weekend.

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Photos: Team-themed gear floods 2022 LIV Golf Boston merchandise tent

If you’re in need of a ‘Crushers’ shirt, the merchandise tent in Boston has you covered.

BOLTON, Mass. — The LIV Golf Series is outside Boston this week for their fourth event. The breakaway league welcomed six new members in New England including world No. 2 Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Tringale, Harold Varner III, Marc Leishman and Anirban Lahiri.

The International is a New England gem and will play as a par 70 measuring just under 7,000 yards.

One of LIV Golf’s selling points is the team aspect of the competition, and the amount of squad-themed apparel in the merchandise shop reflects that.

Take a look at some of the items available in the merchandise tent at LIV Boston.

LIV Boston: Teams | Leaderboard

Harold Varner: ‘I hate being hated’ among the interesting things said at LIV Golf Invitational Boston press conference

It’s been more than a month since we last saw LIV golfers on the course.

It’s been more than a month since we last saw LIV Golf Series players on the course but that’s how it’s going in this breakaway league, which has only eight events in 2022.

Ahead of the fourth event during this inaugural season, LIV introduced its six newest members Wednesday in Bolton, Massachusetts, outside Boston.

The International is the host venue for the three-day, 54-hole, no-cut event that starts Friday.

Cam Smith, Champion Golfer of the Year and Players Championship winner, makes his circuit debut. He’s ranked No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is now the highest ranked member of the Saudi government-backed golf series.

Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson is also making his first appearance but he won’t be playing just yet. Still recovering from knee surgery, Watson is LIV Golf’s first non-playing captain.

There are 12 teams of four golfers, and Watson’s squad includes fellow newcomer Harold Varner III.

Other recent signees include Anirban Lahiri, Cameron Tringale and Marc Leishman.

Photos: Harold Varner III through the years

View photos of Harold Varner III throughout his career.

Harold Varner III earned his PGA Tour card in 2015 after a couple of seasons on the then-named Web.com Tour.

Varner became the first African American to earn his Tour card through the Web.com Tour. At his first professional win, the 2016 Australian PGA Championship, he became the first American to win the event since Hale Irwin did so in 1978.

Besides breaking barriers, Varner had a solid career in his time on the PGA Tour. Although he never won a PGA Tour event, HV3 did come close to winning the 2019 PGA Championship but struggled in the final pairing on Sunday, shooting 81 to finish in a tie for 36th.

A career best T-2 finish at the RBC Heritage in 2021, he held the 54 hole lead at the event in 2022 before Jordan Spieth erased the lead to win by one.

After the conclusion of the 2021-22 PGA Tour season,  Varner III announced he was leaving for LIV Golf. Unlike most of his new colleagues, the former ECU Pirate gave a refreshing answer as to why he chose to leave the PGA Tour.

“The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by. I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on – and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up,” Varner wrote in a post on his Instagram account. “It’ll also help fund many of the programs I’m building with my Foundation. I’ll continue to forge pathways for kids interested in golf. This note is a receipt of for that.”

Harold Varner III was refreshingly honest about his reasons for leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf

“The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by.”

If you’ve followed Harold Varner III’s career, you may have been surprised by the news that he’s left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.

His statement announcing and explaining his decision was just as well, but in a different way. Varner has always been unapologetically himself, a fact that’s led the 32-year-old to be a fan-favorite over the last few years on Tour. The shocking aspect of his statement was how refreshingly honest he was about his reasons for joining LIV, and he didn’t shy away from speaking about the money.

“The opportunity to join LIV Golf is simply too good of a financial breakthrough for me to pass by. I know what it means to grow up without much. This money is going to ensure that my kid and future Varners will have a solid base to start on – and a life I could have only dreamt about growing up,” Varner wrote in a post on his Instagram account. “It’ll also help fund many of the programs I’m building with my Foundation. I’ll continue to forge pathways for kids interested in golf. This note is a receipt of for that.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch5H1zWufYI/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

While Varner never did earn that elusive first win on the PGA Tour, the North Carolina native qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season this year. He also won the 2022 PIF Saudi International, which stirred rumors that he was fielding interest from LIV Golf.

“I’m obviously not going,” Varner said to SI in June after receiving what he called a “nuts” offer from LIV Golf. “I’ve spoken with (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay (Monahan), I’ve spoken with a lot of people I look up to and it just wasn’t worth it to me for what it was worth. That’s pretty simple.”

Varner will make his LIV Golf debut this week at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts.

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Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Harold Varner III lead latest group of PGA Tour players to jump to LIV Golf

LIV Golf will feature some new players at its next event near Boston.

The PGA Tour made some changes and picked up some momentum in its battle with LIV Golf, but the new series will feature some new players at its next event.

On Tuesday, the upstart circuit led by Greg Norman and backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia announced six golfers would be taking their talents to the new series: Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Cameron Tringale and Anirban Lahiri.

The new additions mean LIV Golf now has six of the top 30 players on the Official World Golf Ranking (as of Aug. 21) as it prepares to host its fourth event at the International, Sept. 2-4, near Boston.

When asked about his reported interest in LIV Golf after his Open Championship victory, Cameron Smith said, “I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”

Reports then broke the week of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind that he was taking his talents to LIV Golf, but Smith didn’t confirm or deny the news.

“I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me,” he said at the time, while also noting he planned to play the Presidents Cup, Sept. 20-25. Smith was referring to fellow Aussie pro, Cameron Percy, who said, “Unfortunately, yeah, they’re gone,” in regard to Smith and Leishman being bound for LIV Golf.

Niemann told Golf.com at the U.S. Open that he wanted to play against the best players in the world.

“They’re still here and as long as they’re here, I’m not going anywhere. No chance,” he said in June. “If I was 40? Maybe it would be different.”

When Varner won the PIF Saudi International on the Asian Tour earlier this year, rumors began to swirl that he may leave the PGA Tour. He sat down with commissioner Jay Monahan in March and went on to say, “I’ve always supported the PGA Tour when they needed me, and I want to be there.”

Since turning professional in 2009, Tringale has made $17,426,908 in 338 starts and holds the dubious distinction as the man to win the most money without ever winning a PGA Tour event. Lahiri has also never won on Tour, but won twice on the European Tour in a matter of three weeks in February 2015 at the Maybank Malaysian Open and Hero Indian Open.

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