LIV Golf, the upstart challenger to the PGA Tour that made its debut this year, unveiled its plans for an expansion of its series in 2023.
There will be 14 tournaments next year, up from the eight slated for 2022, and an increased $405 million in prize purses available for contests — a $150 million uptick from the $255 million available in 2022.
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“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf ecosystem as we know it, one that provides an opportunity for players and fans around the world to help maximize our beloved sport’s true potential,” LIV CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman proclaimed.
Organizers for LIV did not announce dates or sites for next year’s tournaments but noted in a press release that they are expecting to “expand LIV Golf’s global footprint.” The upstart golf organization is also planning to stage additional tournaments in its international series. Altogether between its international series and main league, there will be 25 LIV tournaments worldwide in 2023.
The upstart golf tour emphasized that next year’s events would not clash with the majors in order to make room for the world’s finest golfers to compete in its trove of events. The majors include the Masters, the PGA Championship, the British Open, and the U.S. Open. They are among the foremost golf competitions in the world and paramount for professional golfers eager to top the charts.
By making room for the majors, LIV is seeking to accommodate hesitant big-name golfers, uneasy about swinging their clubs in a new golfing series. LIV has also been breaking out the big bucks to incentivize stars such as Cameron Smith to tee up for their contests.
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Overshadowing LIV’s accession in the golfing world is its ties to Saudi Arabia. The group has controversially received funding from the oil-rich giant’s sovereign wealth fund, which has sparked a domestic backlash in the United States.
Groups such as 9/11 Justice and 9/11 Families United have railed against participants in the event because of purported connections between Saudia Arabia and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. LIV is slated to host a tournament at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster this weekend.
