Tag: LIV Golf League

First LIV Golf offseason domino falls as Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces trades for former European Ryder Cup team member

A trade has happened.

It has been a quiet two-and-a-half months since the LIV Golf season came to an end at the Team Championship in Dallas.

However, the first domino has fallen in what could be a busy couple of weeks heading into the fourth season of LIV Golf.

Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces announced Monday it had acquired Thomas Pieters via trade from Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats GC, the first trade of the offseason. The 4Aces didn’t send a player back in return, as Sports Illustrated’s Matt Vincenzi reported, and the expectation is the 4Aces will not re-sign Pat Perez, whose contract expires Jan. 1, 2025.

Pieters, whose LIV Golf contract runs through 2025, finished 30th in the individual season standings in 2024. He scored four points for Europe in the 2016 Ryder Cup. Players who finished Nos. 25-48 were subject to being traded or dropped from their current teams to become free agents.

He joins a 4Aces team that won the inaugural LIV Golf Team Championship in 2022 but finished 10th in the regular season in 2024. The 4Aces did finish tied for second at the Team Championship.

Last year, the 4Aces and RangeGoats GC also traded players in the offseason, with Harold Varner III joining Johnson’s team in exchange for Peter Uihlein.

What’s next?

RangeGoats GC could go numerous ways in filling its roster spot. Watson could sign a player in the Open Zone who isn’t returning to their former team. The team could also sign someone from outside the league. Watson himself was also relegated from the league after the season, so the RanegGoats could have two new players come 2025.

Rumors have swirled in recent weeks about possibly LIV Golf signings this offseason. The Pieters’ trade could be the first in a chain reaction of offseason movement for the league, but only time will tell.

LIV Golf releases second part of 2025 schedule, including three U.S. events

LIV is heading to South Korea and Indianapolis.

With less than three months until the fourth season of the LIV Golf League begins in Saudi Arabia, the schedule is slowly coming together.

On Wednesday morning, the league announced six additional events for its 2025 slate, bringing the total to 10 of the expected 14 for next year.

Returning on the schedule are LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club from Aug. 8-10, LIV Golf Dallas at Maridoe Golf Club from June 27-29, LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama from July 11-13 and LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club from July 25-27. 

Two new venues will bring the league to Korea and Indiana for the first time. Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea will host LIV Golf Korea May 2-4 and The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Indiana, will host LIV Golf Indianapolis from Aug. 15-17. The Indianapolis event will be the individual season finale, which was in Chicago this year.

“LIV Golf is growing across the globe in new and returning markets, and our 2025 schedule is a testament to that,” LIV Golf’s Greg Norman said in a release. “Bringing LIV Golf to South Korea is another significant milestone as we continue to expand throughout Asia, and our inaugural event in Indy will be a perfect match for a community steeped in sports history and tradition. We’re excited to build on the tremendous success we had last year at new LIV Golf venues in Chicago, Dallas and the UK, where we set new league attendance records and saw dramatic competition on the course. And our partnership with Andalucia continues to deliver a memorable experience for players and fans at Valderrama, a one-of-a-kind venue in Spain.”

Here’s a look at the known events on the LIV Golf schedule for 2025.

Date Tournament Course Location
Feb. 6-8 Riyadh Riyadh Golf Club Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Feb. 14-16 Adelaide The Grange Golf Club Adelaide, Australia
March 7-9 Hong Kong Fanling Golf Course Hong Kong
March 14-16 Singapore Sentosa Golf Club Sentosa Island, Singapore
May 2-4 Korea Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea Incheon, South Korea
June 27-29 Dallas Maridoe Golf Club Carrollton, Texas
July 11-13 Andalucia Valderrama Sotogrande, Spain
July 25-27 UK JCB Golf and Country Club Rocester, England
Aug. 8-10 Chicago Bolingbrook Golf Club Bolingbrook, Illinois
Aug. 15-17 Indianapolis The Club at Chatham Hills Westfield, Indiana

 

Report: LIV Golf’s 2025 schedule is taking shape, league not returning to Houston or Nashville

More schedule details are emerging.

The LIV Golf League’s fourth season is set to begin in 88 days, and the full schedule has yet to be announced.

The first four events will take place internationally, beginning in Saudi Arabia. On Tuesday, a report from Sports Business Journal indicated LIV Golf is moving in on announcing more stops for its 2025 slate.

LIV Golf’s schedule will remain at 14 events next year, though a majority of those are expected to occur outside of the United States. However, events in Chicago and Dallas will return, though the event at Maridoe in Dallas, which was the season finale in 2024, will move to a June spot on the calendar, per the report.

The league also won’t return to Nashville or Houston, but the report says an event is expected in Indianapolis at an undisclosed course.

Events are also expected to return to Valderrama in Spain and another tournament in the United Kingdom, both which have been contested the previous two seasons.

The league has yet to set rosters for the 2025 season, either, though that likely won’t be announced until next year. The LIV Golf Promotions Event is set for Dec. 12-14 in Saudi Arabia, where one player will earn a spot in the league.

Details announced for 2024 LIV Golf Promotions event, only one spot up for grabs in 2025

Only one spot in the LIV Golf League is up for grabs.

Last year, three players earned their way onto the LIV Golf League thanks to the LIV Golf Promotions event. This year, only one golfer will have the opportunity to do that.

LIV Golf announced details Thursday for its Promotions event, which is set for Dec. 12-14 in Saudi Arabia at Riyadh Golf Club. Four rounds of golf will be contested over three days, with the winner earning a roster spot for the 2025 LIV Golf season.

That one player will have a chance to earn a spot on one of LIV Golf’s 13 teams, but they may also be a wild card player for the 2025 season.

The total purse will be $1.5 million, while the top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into all 2025 events on the Asian Tour’s International Series. LIV Golf has continued to invest in the Asian Tour, and this is an effort to continue growing the relationship between the two, with the Asian Tour becoming somewhat of a feeder series for LIV Golf in the future.

There will be four rounds of stroke play. After the first 18 holes, only the top-20 and ties advance to the second round. Scores will be reset, then the top 20 will advance to the final two rounds, with ties to be determined by a playoff. Then the scores will be reset again before the third and final round, where the leader after 36 holes will earn a spot in the LIV Golf League.

Every player who advances to the second round will receive at least $10,000. Those who play in only the first round will get $5,000. Amateurs will get $1,000 regardless of finishing position.

Who’s eligible for the 2024 LIV Golf Promotions event?

It’s a long list, and LIV Golf is giving plenty of spots to the top amateurs in the world, should they choose to play.

The following are eligible to play in the first round: members of the 2023 Walker Cup and 2024 Palmer Cup Teams; winner and runners-up of the latest playing of these amateur events: U.S. Amateur, Amateur Championship, Asia-Pacific Amateur, Latin America Amateur, European Amateur, African Amateur, NCAA Championship (Individual) and the Eisenhower Trophy (Individual); the leading 15 available players from within the top 40 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of Nov. 19, (excluding players exempt into the second round); the leading 25 available players from within the top 40 on the final 2024 International Series Rankings (excluding those exempt into the second round); leading five available players from inside the top 10 from each of the following professional Tours as of Nov. 19: Japan Golf Tour, KPGA Korean Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia; the top 30 available players from within the top 300 of The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR) as of Nov. 19; and invitations as determined by LIV Golf League.

Exemptions into the second round are reserved for more accomplished players: the leading two available players from within the top 15 on the WAGR rankings as of Nov. 19; players ranked 2 to 8 on the final 2024 International Series rankings; the top three players from each of the following professional Tours as of Nov. 19: Japan Golf Tour, KPGA Korean Tour, Sunshine Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia; the leading five available players from within the top 30 of the final 2024 DP World Tour and Korn Ferry Tour rankings; winners of International Series and Asian Tour sanctioned tournaments in 2024; winners of Japan Golf Tour, KPGA Korean Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia sanctioned tournaments in 2024; winners of PGA Tour and DP World Tour sanctioned tournaments in 2023-24; Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup participants from 2019-24; major winners from 2019-24; leading 15 available players from within the top 150 of The Universal Golf Rankings (TUGR) as of Nov. 19; players relegated or without a contract for the following season from the final 2024 LIV Golf standings; and invitations as determined by LIV Golf League.

The tournament will be available to watch on LIV Golf Plus, the LIV Golf YouTube channel and broadcast partners around the world, with live coverage Thursday, Dec. 12-Saturday, Dec. 14.

Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC wins 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship, claim $14 million top prize

The team from Down Under that came out on top.

Every team was in the hunt with only a couple holes left to play, but it was the team from Down Under that came out on top at Maridoe Golf Club outside of Dallas.

Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC claimed the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship on Sunday, shooting 11 under in stroke play to win the $14 million prize. They finished three shots in front of Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC and Iron Heads GC at 8 under while Legion XIII was fourth at 6 under.

The low round for Ripper GC was the captain, who bogeyed his opening hole then added five birdies to sign for a 4-under 68. Lucas Herbert, who had a triple bogey in his round, was next at 3 under while Marc Leishman and Matt Jones each shot 2-under 70.

https://twitter.com/livgolf_league/status/1837978138082791547

“Mate, it’s so good,” Smith said. “I mean, not only great golfers but they’re better people. I think that’s what being a Ripper is all about. Just so happens that we’re good golfers, too. It’s a good combo. But to have those three guys out there today, or six other guys really to lean on trying to get the job done, there was something in me that was telling me that we were going to be all right.”

Added Leishman: “Firstly, it’s unbelievable to win a team event. It’s not very often in golf you get to celebrate with other people who are equally as happy, and there’s about 15 of us here. Yeah, I mean, I feel like this win, Australia has been behind us so much. I think it’s a massive win for us individually, as a team. I’m so excited.”

Jon Rahm didn’t play this week for Legion XIII, withdrawing before Saturday’s semifinals because of flu-like symptoms. Iron Heads GC knocked off fourth-seeded Smash GC in the quarterfinals before taking out the top overall seed and defending team champions, Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, in the semifinals.

Iron Heads GC will take home $8 million while 4Aces GC will collect $6 million. In the Team Championship, the teams keep 60 percent and each player takes home 10 percent.

Photos: 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship at Maridoe Golf Club

The final event of the LIV Golf League’s season is here.

The final event of the LIV Golf League’s season is here.

The second full season of competition, or third overall with the first year being a series of invitationals, comes to a close this week at Maridoe Golf Club outside of Dallas in the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship.

All 13 teams will compete for the top prize, though only four will have a chance to win the title come Sunday, when the event switches from match play to stroke play.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC, the defending LIV Golf team champions, are the top seed and have a quarterfinal bye on Friday. Also earning byes are Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII and Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC.

The event gets underway Friday. Here’s a look at the best photos from the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship.

Phil Mickelson didn’t have a lot to say when asked about outside player interest in LIV Golf

Is another big offseason brewing, or is it a smokescreen from Lefty?

Phil Mickelson isn’t afraid to speak his mind. But on Thursday at the pre-tournament press conference ahead of the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship at Maridoe Golf Club in Dallas, a pair of one-word answers from Lefty painted an incomplete picture.

LIV Golf’s third season will come to a close Sunday, and then the league will enter the offseason before going international to begin its 2025 campaign. As for what’s next for the league? Other than the early-season schedule release, not many details have been released.

Perhaps it’s because the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which finances LIV Golf, are still working on a deal to bring the top players from both tours back together. Or it could be because the initial momentum LIV Golf had after its first two years has slowed.

Not according to Mickelson.

The last two offseasons, LIV Golf has signed former major champions, the biggest being Jon Rahm last December, who went on to win the league’s individual championship last week at LIV Golf Chicago. On Thursday, Mickelson was asked whether he has heard from players outside of LIV Golf who remain interested in the league.

“Yes.”

A follow-up question was asked: “Do you want to expand on that any?”

“No.”

Two questions, a pair of one-word answers and the result is left trying to figure out what it all means.

Perhaps Mickelson is speaking to players about possibly joining the league. But unlike in year’s past, there’s hardly any chatter going on about folks who could move defect from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. Or maybe LIV is in a holding pattern, waiting to see what’s next for professional golf, like the rest of us.

Based on other questions and answers Thursday from Mickelson and other LIV Golf captains, the league is moving forward like business as usual. There were even some hints at more team-only events in the future, similar to this week in Dallas.

But as always, Lefty’s choice to not talk about conversations he has had will leave people guessing. Is it a smokescreen, or is LIV Golf preparing for another major offseason splash?

Only time will tell.

PGA of America announces LIV Golf players will be eligible for future PGA Championships, Ryder Cups

The announcement is consistent for what the PGA of America has done the past two years,

The PGA of America announced Thursday that its board has determined LIV Golf players will be eligible for both future PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup.

LIV players will be offered A-3 membership into the PGA of America, the same granted to PGA Tour players, those on the DP World Tour and nine other circuits around the world.

The announcement is consistent with what the PGA of America has done the past two years, including in 2023 when LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship for the third time and then participated on the United States Ryder Cup team in Rome.

“To ensure the PGA Championship will continue to deliver the strongest field in golf and that the U.S. Ryder Cup team will continue to have access to the best American players, the PGA of America board has determined that LIV Golf players will be eligible for both,” the statement read.

“Going forward, all LIV Golf players are eligible for the PGA Championship and any American player who qualifies for the Ryder Cup on points or is added to the U.S. team as a captain’s pick is eligible to compete.”

No LIV Golf players were banned from competing in the PGA Championship or from the U.S. Ryder Cup team the last two years, though they were given a “grace period” to be able to compete. Joaquin Niemann even received a special invitation to the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla after his stellar start to the 2024 season.

Without LIV events receiving world ranking points, it will be hard for most of those players to compete in the PGA Championship or make the U.S. Ryder Cup team, outside of a select few.

The process will remain the same as it has forever: if you can qualify, you can play.

A $50 million purse is up for grabs at this week’s 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship

Every team gets paid this week.

The LIV Golf League is in Dallas at Maridoe Golf Club for its season finale, the 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship.

With that comes one final payday for the league’s 13 teams and 54 players, with everyone taking home some money come Sunday.

First place will earn $14 million, but each player on the winning team will take home only $1.4 million. That’s because 60 percent of a team’s winnings will go toward the team itself, and the 40 percent that’s left over will be split evenly between the players.

All in all, there’s a $50 million purse at Maridoe, where Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC are the top-seeded team and have a quarterfinal bye on Friday. Crushers GC won the team championship in 2023.

Eleven of the 13 teams will have a seven-figure payday this week.

Here’s a breakdown of the purse at the LIV Golf Team Championship.

Position Prize money
1 $14,000,000
2 $8,000,000
3 $6,000,000
4 $4,000,000
5 $3,250,000
6 $3,000,000
7 $2,750,000
8 $2,500,000
9 $2,000,000
10 $1,650,000
11 $1,300,000
12 $950,000
13 $600,000

 

Jon Rahm claims $18 million bonus as 2024 LIV Golf individual champion after win in Chicago

Rahm didn’t place outside of the top 10 this season.

When Jon Rahm signed late last year with LIV Golf, he instantly became the best player in the league.

He backed that up all season long, and he was rewarded for it Sunday.

The 29-year-old claimed the 2024 LIV Golf League individual title, a season-long points race similar to that of the FedEx Cup. Rahm held off Joaquin Niemann, the only other player who had a chance to win the lucrative bonus, and will take home the $18 million prize.

Rahm won for the second time this season Sunday, capturing the title at 2024 LIV Golf Chicago at Bolingbrook Golf Club. It was his second victory of the year, and he didn’t place worse than T-10 in 12 events (he withdrew due to injury from LIV Golf Houston in June).

Dustin Johnson won the individual champion in LIV’s inaugural eight-event season in 2022, and last year, it was Talor Gooch taking home the title after a three-win season.

In addition to his two wins and 12 top-10 finishes, Rahm earned $16,737,904 in individual earnings.

LIV’s season will come to a close at the Team Championship finale at Maridoe in Dallas, Sept. 20-22.