LIV Golf League season starts on Friday amid controversy

Saudi-backed LIV Golf League opens its 2023 campaign on Friday with British Open champion Cameron Smith and two-time major winner Dustin Johnson among the biggest names in the controversial league.

Some of the leading golfers were tempted to LIV Golf from the US PGA Tour, prompting a PGA ban that set up a court fight scheduled to begin in January 2024.

Last year's individual season standings 📊

Which player cracks the top 10 this year?#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/arkwMvHEH5

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) February 21, 2023

World number one Jon Rahm, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, 15-times major champion Tiger Woods and Masters champion Scottie Scheffler were among those who stayed with the PGA as a split in golf brought chaos, but so far LIV players remain able to play in majors if they qualify.

LIV Golf continues to fight to earn world ranking points, but with new players making the jump the 2023 season could see top talent from LIV and older tours meeting only at the four majors, adding to the tension around April’s Masters showdown at Augusta National.

“Our decisions are always based on what’s in the best interest of the PGA of America and conducting the best championship possible,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

“Sadly the current division in the professional game is not good for the sport or the future of the game. We hope there might be some resolution soon. In the meantime, as always, our focus will be on our mission to grow the game and improve the lives of our members, who work so hard to impact millions of lives every day.”

Critics brand LIV Golf as a bid by Saudi Arabia, which supports the circuit via its Public Investment Fund, to “sportswash” its human rights record.

However, LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman sees the league carrying the sport to a younger audience with fast-paced shotgun starts, on-site concerts and increased interaction between stars and fans.

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“In less than a year, LIV Golf has reinvigorated the professional game and laid the foundation for the sport’s future,” Norman said.

“Our league format has already begun to build connections with new audiences around the globe. Major champions, current and future Hall of Famers, and up-and-coming stars are all committed to creating this new platform for world-class competition as the sport evolves for the next generation.”

The series of 54-hole events offering record purses of $25 million expands to 14 stops in seven nations, starting at Mexico’s Mayakoba resort on Friday.

This week the LIV Golf League will begin its 14-event schedule for 2023 at Mayakoba’s El Camaleón Golf Course on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Feb. 24-26.

Check out the rosters for all 12 teams, three of which remain unchanged from the 2022 team championship. pic.twitter.com/S4GeJHczBp

— Mr Topes Golf (@MrTopesGolf) February 21, 2023

PGA officials have made changes to combat defections, including the creation of elevated events with prize money boosted to $20 million at nine tournaments and to $25 million at the Players Championship.

LIV Golf, however, boasts 13 major winners, including Johnson, Smith, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Henrik Stenson, Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel.

The series includes stops in April at Adelaide and Singapore, events on back-to-back weekends at the start of July at Spain’s Valderrama and England’s Centurion courses and a November season-ender in Saudi Arabia.

US events include three at courses owned by former US President Donald Trump — May at Trump National near Washington, August at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, and at Doral in October.

Other US stops include Tucson and Orlando in late March and early April, Tulsa in May, Greenbrier in August and Chicago in September.