LIV Golf

Mickelson missed last month's PGA Championship, where he was the defending champion, and had been in self-imposed exile since he was quoted on the Fire Pit ...

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Phil Mickelson says he is returning to golf with a "renewed spirit and excitement" as he confirmed he will play in the first LIV Golf Invitational Series ...

"Tiger made a great point at the PGA the other day in his press conference. "You want to have records. But you have to try to put yourself in other people's shoes and see where they are coming from." "I respect the man for making a bold decision. You need a job and you need to make money to buy yourself a house. I have a renewed spirit and excitement for the game. "Do I play golf for money now? "I'm a bit surprised, actually," Norman said in quotes released to the PA news agency. I also intend to play the majors" I also intend to play the majors. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me. "I have spent this time with Amy and loved ones.

Phil Mickelson will play in the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series' inaugural event in London.

“I have a renewed spirit and excitement for the game. I would like to think that I have given back as well but now I’m excited about this new opportunity. He strengthens an exciting field for London where we’re proud to launch a new era for golf,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf.

Until Monday, he had issued no public statements, played no golf tournaments and missed two major championships, including the PGA Championship last month where ...

And any feelings that I have in regard to playing the Tour or feelings in regard to the Tour in general I need to keep behind closed doors. I wasn’t in a position to be there and be able to compete.’’ Mickelson: “It's been a tremendous opportunity for me to spend time with Amy and loved ones that I’ve never really had this opportunity to do in my life. I was under the understanding that I was able to play. But I’ve come away with a balance in my life and a renewed excitement and energy to get back to playing golf.’’ But I’m uncertain how I will play given that I haven’t played in a few months. Amy has been very supportive of it and with me and the process. But I am looking forward to playing the U.S. Open and I’ll be there. Mickelson: “I’m certainly grateful for the 30-plus years that I’ve had with the PGA Tour. The many memories and experiences that I’ve shared. And I really believe that LIV can be good for the game of golf as well.’’ But I have seen the good that game of golf has done throughout history. I hurt a lot of people and I’m really sorry.’’

No, Alanis Morisette will not be the headline act for LIV Golf's first ever "Après Golf" concert at Centurion Club in London later this week.

Because one of Jessie J's biggest hits is called "Price Tag," in which she literally sings the words "it's not about the money, money." On Monday, LIV unveiled the musical lineup for all three nights, culminating with England's own Jessie J on Saturday night at 9:15 p.m. Why is that of note? But one of the revealed musical acts is equally as ironic as rain on your wedding day.

After months of speculation and back-and-forth between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, the new Saudi-backed series is to get underway on the outskirts of London ...

"We have a long-term vision and we're here to stay," said Norman, the CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, via a release. The prize purse doubles for the season finale in Miami and sees $50m allocated between each of the 12 four-man teams. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. The format changes in the Team Championship, which is a seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out tournament. It also refers to the lowest score a player can shoot were they to birdie every hole on a par-72 course. Phil Mickelson was added to that list on Monday evening after months of controversy surrounding comments he made about the breakaway series.

Phil Mickelson is to compete in the opening event of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series this week, organisers have announced.

I have a renewed spirit and excitement for the game. I also intend to play the majors. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me.

Revealed: The 'mind-blowingly enormous' Saudi offer Woods turned down.

I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. I still think that the tour has so much to offer, so much opportunity. “I understand different viewpoints, but I believe in legacies. It’s just not guaranteed upfront.” I just think there’s a legacy to that. Speaking more generally about LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, he added: “I just think that what Jack (Nicklaus) and Arnold (Palmer) have done in starting the (PGA) tour...

In an interview with the Washington Post, Greg Norman said Tiger Woods was offered a "mind-blowingly enormous" deal to join LIV Golf.

The tour denied conflicting-event releases to all tour members who requested to compete in LIV Golf’s inaugural event. You've got to go out there and play for it. You have to go out there and earn it. We have opportunity to go ahead and do it. According to Norman, the offer was “mind-blowingly enormous.” “You know, [Phil Mickelson] has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going.

LIV Golf will make its debut this week at London without Tiger Woods, but it made a substantial offer to lure the 15-time major winner to the new ...

The PGA Tour has threatened a ban of any players that compete in a LIV Golf event. There's plenty of money out here." Woods, 46, was not ready to sever ties with the tour where he made a name for himself and where he has won 82 total events, tied for the most all-time with Sam Snead.

There's a new golf tournament aiming to wrestle publicity — and players — away from the PGA Tour. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series is offering ...

The winning team after the season finale will receive a cool $16 million. The first seven LIV events will have an individual competition, where each golfer will compete in a stroke play format over the course of 54 holes. At the end of the individual events, players who have participated in at least four events will divide what amounts to a top-heavy $30 million bonus pool. Those captains will then select the other three players for their teams in a snake draft format each week, as the player pool will change from event to event. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series is offering lucrative payouts, weekly drafts and a unique format for individual players and teams alike. Seven events will take place over the course of LIV Golf's four-month regular season.

Six-time golf major champion Phil Mickelson will participate in the inaugural LIV Golf tournament at the Centurion Club near London.

I realize I still have a long way to go, but I am embracing the work ahead." , CEO of LIV Golf, stated in part on Monday, "(Mickelson) strengthens an exciting field for London where we're proud to launch a new era for golf. I also intend to play the majors."

The six-time major winner reportedly lost about 40million US dollars (£32m) between 2010 and 2014.

“I did watch them but I didn’t necessarily want to be there. “I’ve had many conversations with the organisations that run the majors. I’m under the understanding that I’m able to play.” “I have not resigned my membership. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. And I’ve been addressing it for a number of years.

Meanwhile, it's being reported that Tiger Woods turned down a 'mind-blowingly enormous' offer to join.

“I did watch them but I didn’t necessarily want to be there. “I’ve had many conversations with the organisations that run the majors. I’m under the understanding that I’m able to play.” “I have not resigned my membership. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. And I’ve been addressing it for a number of years.

Dustin Johnson has confirmed he has resigned from the PGA Tour in order to compete in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The schedule has been put together such that it aligns well with the PGA Tour for example. "I haven't resigned my membership from the PGA Tour as of yet. "This was something new, and I like to do a lot of other things beside golf. I hope it doesn't affect that. "Majors, again I can't answer for them, but hopefully they are going to allow us to play. "I was excited about a new format, a new kind of golf that I think is great for the game, is great for the fans, and I think it's going to be very exciting.

There's a new golf tournament aiming to wrestle publicity — and players — away from the PGA Tour. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series is offering ...

The winning team after the season finale will receive a cool $16 million. The first seven LIV events will have an individual competition, where each golfer will compete in a stroke play format over the course of 54 holes. At the end of the individual events, players who have participated in at least four events will divide what amounts to a top-heavy $30 million bonus pool. Those captains will then select the other three players for their teams in a snake draft format each week, as the player pool will change from event to event. The Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series is offering lucrative payouts, weekly drafts and a unique format for individual players and teams alike. Seven events will take place over the course of LIV Golf's four-month regular season.

This week the LIV Golf Invitational begins, boasting some big names and massive money with a format different than what the PGA Tour has offered for decades ...

A golf outsider, he did all he could to learn the inner workings of the game. “In ’93-’94, I thought of this idea of how do we get the best players to play against each other on more of a regular basis and give them an annuity into the future. But all of that was thwarted in the aftermath of Mickelson’s comments. In the fall, Greg Norman was announced as CEO of the new entity known as LIV Golf Investments, whose goal was to help invest in the game. It is possible that Steinberg was just on a fact-finding mission, just like many in the game were and have been during this period. “I’ve mentioned in the past, do I currently think the PGA Tour is the best place to play? It’s one of the reasons we instituted the World Golf Championships, because we were only getting together five times a year, the four majors and the Players, and we wanted to showcase the top players on more than those occasions. “Tiger Woods can sell a million dollars’ worth of tickets, be largely responsible for a large part of the television contract, and he has to shoot scores to get paid,’’ the agent says. With the European Tour deal not working out, PGL then sought to join forces with the PGA Tour in a plan that was only revealed late last year. “The needle-movers, the guys who are responsible for revenue, go out and compete at the risk of not being paid,’’ says one player agent who wished to not be identified. The European Tour eventually decided on a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour that has so far yielded a couple of co-sanctioned tournaments – including next month’s Genesis Scottish Open – as well as the PGA Tour owning a stake in European Tour Productions, with further enhancements to come. Getting the players – and their agents – on board was the biggest part of the process.

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, England — The opening press conference at the first edition of the LIV Golf Invitational Series was going along smoothly enough when Dustin ...

I don’t make the rules, but all things are things that are subject to change, and hopefully at some point they will. The Ryder Cup is unbelievable and is something that has definitely meant a lot to me. Almost casually, the two-time major champion dropped into the conversation that he has joined Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen (who also resigned from the DP World Tour), Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia in resigning his membership of the PGA Tour.

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson resigns his membership of the PGA Tour to play in the Saudi Arabian-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series.

"As golfers if we tried to cure geopolitical situations in every country in the world that we played in, we wouldn't play a lot of golf. Each day, the teams of four will tee off at the same time on different holes in what is termed a 'shotgun start'. The eighth and final event, at Trump National Doral in Miami in October, will be a $50m 'Team Championship' matchplay knockout tournament featuring 12 teams. We are just here to focus on the golf." "The Khashoggi situation, we all agree that was reprehensible," he said, referring to the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. "Is it healthy for the sport? His Masters win also gives him a five-year exemption for The Open and US PGA Championship. I can't answer for the majors but hopefully they're going to allow us to play. I hope it doesn't affect that," he said. "Golf is a force of good in the world and I love using the game as something to help grow around the world and be role models to kids. We're not politicians. PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh said last year: "If someone wants to play on a Ryder Cup for the US, they're going to need to be a member of the PGA of America, and they get that membership through being a member of the (PGA) Tour."

Dustin Johnson said he's resigned from the PGA Tour and plans to play only LIV Golf events and major championships "unless I hear otherwise."

"I can't answer for the majors, but hopefully they're going to allow us to play," Johnson said. I'm proud to say I've represented my country and hopefully I'll get a chance to do that again. Johnson said he fully expects to be able to play in the majors, including next week's U.S. Open at Brookline, Massachusetts. The USGA has not shown any indication that it would attempt to bar players who joined the LIV Golf Tour from its championships. If it doesn't, well, it was another thing I really had to think long and hard about. "For right now, I've resigned my membership on the tour and I'm going to play [LIV] for now," Johnson said. It's something exciting and something new."

Dustin Johnson - 4 Aces: · Graeme McDowell - Niblicks: · Ian Poulter - Majesticks: · Kevin Na - Iron Heads: · Louis Oosthuizen - Stinger: · Martin Kaymer - Cleeks: ...

There’s a beautiful, vibrant rainbow of responses to the impending launch of LIV Golf, but one thing we can all agree on—one thing that might finally unite a golf nation divided—is that the team names suck. Maybe you went out and got a “LIV, LOVE, LAUGH” tattooed next to your barbed-wire bicep ink to own the libs. Kevin Na - Iron Heads: Get it?

Dustin Johnson has resigned his membership of the PGA Tour to play the LIV Golf Invitational Series, effectively ruling him out of the Ryder Cup.

“Is it healthy for the sport? I’m proud to say I’ve played and represented my country and hopefully I will get a chance to do that again, but I don’t make the rules.” I hope it doesn’t affect that,” said McDowell, who holed the winning putt at Celtic Manor in 2010.

Johnson sacrifices Ryder Cup over participation in $25m inaugural LIV Golf event in Hertfordshire this week.

“I wish I had the ability to be able to have that conversation with you,” the Northern Irishman said. One journalist, irate at not being permitted a poser to Na, asked Fleischer if he was the recipient of “blood money” during an unseemly kerfuffle at the media-centre door. Na believes it is far from a given players will be ostracised from the Ryder Cup. “I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he said. “I wanted to be more positive going into LIV. I didn’t want any negativity going towards my new chapter of my new career. “It’s hard to speak on what the consequences will be but for right now, I resigned my membership from the Tour,” said Johnson, the world No 15. The impact of the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Series, which begins with a $25m (£19.85m) event here on Thursday, continues to reverberate.

Dustin Johnson, a two-time major golf champion, surrendered his PGA Tour status on Tuesday and said that for the immediate future he planned only to play in major tournaments and events sponsored by the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.

But some tour players who do not qualify for those playoffs might be enticed to enter some of the final, lucrative LIV Golf events in September and October. That might especially be true for golfers with lesser tour status, but they would most likely still face a suspension from the PGA Tour that could continue into next year. The situation, and the professional golf landscape, is evolving. The next stage of golf’s burgeoning face-off may be in court. And yet, the leading, young stars of the PGA Tour have nonetheless remained unwaveringly loyal. Johnson has played in the Ryder Cup five times, including last year when he was undefeated in five matches and helped lead the United States to a dominating victory. But the Masters is run by Augusta National Golf Club, which has proved in the past that it would make decisions independently. But so far, the United States-based PGA Tour has remained quiet as Johnson and others, such as Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion who has earned more than $94 million at tour events, have signaled that they will play in this week’s LIV Golf tournament. “For right now, I’ve resigned my membership on the tour,” said Johnson, who joined the PGA Tour in 2008 and is ranked 15th in the world. PGA Tour players are not in violation of any of the tour’s regulations until they actually play in a rival event without permission — and the tour has not given its consent for any players requesting to play this week in England. Johnson’s eligibility for major golf championships is not a certainty, although there has been no indication that he would be barred from playing in next week’s U.S. Open. He qualifies for a spot in the field in multiple ways, not the least of which being that he won the championship in 2016. A report last week in The Telegraph said Johnson was paid $125 million to join LIV Golf, whose major shareholder is the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia worth more than $600 billion.

Johnson, one of the world's top golfers, made his move from the PGA Tour official Tuesday.

Johnson’s $74 million in career PGA Tour earnings are the third-most ever, trailing only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Strongly supported by former President Donald Trump, LIV Golf first rose to prominence in February when Mickelson made controversial comments about his interest in joining the league despite the Saudi government’s spotted human rights history. Unlike many other notable golfers playing in the first LIV Golf event, Mickelson has not renounced his membership from the PGA Tour, telling Sports Illustrated in a Monday interview he’s “hopeful that I’ll have the ability to play wherever I want, where it’s the PGA Tour, LIV or wherever else I want.” The PGA Tour has indicated it may ban LIV Golf participants from playing in tour events, though no final decision has been made. Mickelson announced Tuesday he would play in LIV Golf’s tournament this week.

Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson headline the LIV Golf opener. Here's how to watch online and on TV.

Ian Snyman, South Africa Oliver Bekker, South Africa Arlo White, a leading voice of the Premier League in the United States, will serve as lead play-by-play caller.

The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event will tee off starting Thursday with players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and other notable names ...

Players began to leave as LIV officials reprimanded the reporter for not being "polite." ... Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do that again, but I don’t make the rules.” I try to worry about golf, and I'm excited bout this week." "You know, I think as golfers, if we tried to cure geopolitical situations in every country in the world that we play golf in, we wouldn't play a lot of golf. I try to hit a golf ball into a small hole. You know, we're just here to focus on the golf and kind of what it does globally for the role models that these guys are and that we are, and yeah, that's a really hard question to get into.

Players such as Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia have withdrawn PGA Tour memberships, fearing suspension and the USGA following suit. The USGA said that all ...

“Rather, it is simply a response to whether or not the USGA views playing in an alternative event, without the consent of their home tour, an offense that should disqualify them for the U.S. Open.’’ But I am looking forward to playing the U.S. Open and I’ll be there. “Our field criteria were set prior to entries opening earlier this year and it’s not appropriate, nor fair to competitors, to change criteria once established. And we ultimately decided that they should not.’’ “And I do want to keep those conversations private. But the USGA said lack of consent from the PGA Tour to compete in an alternative event or series would not keep them from playing in the U.S. Open.

Johnson's resignation could help him avoid a suspension or a lifetime ban from the tour's commissioner, Jay Monahan, who has indicated that punishment on ...

But some tour players who do not qualify for those playoffs might be enticed to enter some of the final, lucrative LIV Golf events in September and October. That might especially be true for golfers with lesser tour status, but they would most likely still face a suspension from the PGA Tour that could continue into next year. The situation, and the professional golf landscape, is evolving. The next stage of golf’s burgeoning face-off may be in court. And yet, the leading, young stars of the PGA Tour have nonetheless remained unwaveringly loyal. Johnson has played in the Ryder Cup five times, including last year when he was undefeated in five matches and helped lead the United States to a dominating victory. But the Masters is run by Augusta National Golf Club, which has proved in the past that it would make decisions independently. But so far, the United States-based PGA Tour has remained quiet as Johnson and others, such as Phil Mickelson, the six-time major champion who has earned more than $94 million at tour events, have signaled that they will play in this week’s LIV Golf tournament. “For right now, I’ve resigned my membership on the tour,” said Johnson, who joined the PGA Tour in 2008 and is ranked 15th in the world. PGA Tour players are not in violation of any of the tour’s regulations until they actually play in a rival event without permission — and the tour has not given its consent for any players requesting to play this week in England. Johnson’s eligibility for major golf championships is not a certainty, although there has been no indication that he would be barred from playing in next week’s U.S. Open. He qualifies for a spot in the field in multiple ways, not the least of which being that he won the championship in 2016. A report last week in The Telegraph said Johnson was paid $125 million to join LIV Golf, whose major shareholder is the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia worth more than $600 billion.

Talor Gooch, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Shaun Norris, Richard Bland, James Piot and Jed Morgan are also exempt for the U.S. Open ...

From a broader perspective, this looks to be a blow to the PGA Tour in their efforts to retain talent. Outside of Johnson, Mickelson and Garcia for his 2017 Masters triumph, the PGA Tour can simply wait these players out if the Official World Golf Rankings come to the conclusion that the LIV Golf Series is ineligible for world ranking points. This was only one of two dominos that still needed to fall in what this LIV Golf saga has become. Like the Masters, winning the PGA Championship also offers a lifetime exemption. Meanwhile his U.S. Open victory at Oakmont comes with a 10-year exemption which is good through 2026. "Rather, it is simply a response to whether or not the USGA views playing in an alternative event, without the consent of their home tour, an offense that should disqualify them for U.S. Open."

Golfers in LIV Golf talk about their reasons for making the jump, including time, schedule and, of course, the massive amounts of money.

I'm hopeful to continue to play the PGA Tour, and I'm hopeful that both LIV Golf and the PGA Tour can coincide. I’m really hopeful to have the chance to play on the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup and continue to move forward with that part of my career. I’m still a member of the DP World Tour. And the Sunshine Tour. And I can play in Asia. I’m not doing this to play less golf. “It's a great week to knock off the rust, if you will, for the U.S. Open next week.” “I'm fortunate to have gotten to a point where I'm one of the better players on the PGA Tour,” he said. “So you know that all the guys signed up for LIV are going to be there. The field is going to be what you expect.” You have to be sharp mentally, and I just didn't want any of that to distract me.” I’ve made my decision to be part of this tour and the DP World Tour. I wasn’t going to have much of a category on the PGA Tour next year. Kaymer’s desire to avoid conflict is one shared by DP World Tour player Laurie Canter. Ranked 119th in the world, the 32-year-old Englishman is at the Centurion Club this week in order to take advance of what he calls “an amazing professional opportunity.” Which makes sense. “I don’t know why the majors would want to ban anyone,” he said. “In fact, I resigned from the PGA Tour last Friday. I want my life to be clear-cut.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series is a "rag-tag bunch of struggling players, elder statesmen, journeymen plus a couple of marquee names," according to Sky ...

"It seems clear that it is indeed all about the money, money, money. "As a golf journalist this story has been incredible to cover, with fresh twists and turns on a weekly - often daily - basis. Her biggest hit is of course 'Price Tag', which begins with the lines 'Seems like everybody's got a price, I wonder how they sleep at night'. "European Ryder Cup stalwarts such as García, McDowell, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer - all in the field this week - are in a similar position. "Na in particular defended the breakaway league passionately, proclaiming himself to be a pioneer, there for the start of an exciting innovation which would change the face of golf. "This week at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, 48 players - split into twelve teams of four - will compete over just 54 holes for a total purse of $25m. The individual winner will pocket $4m of that, with the player finishing 48th and dead last taking home $120,000 for his three days' work.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series starts this week at the Centurion Club in London, which the marks the first of an eight-event stretch for a league that has ...

If LIV Golf events are granted OWGR points and silly money is thrown at players to lure them to the league, then several more top stars could eventually make the leap to the PGA Tour's rival. LIV Golf has applied for its events to become OWGR events (LIV Golf Investments also invested money into the Asian Tour, which is recognized by the OWGR), but whether they are granted status remains to be seen and is the very thing upon which all of this could hinge. It rejected waivers filed by players to play in the first event -- PGA Tour players get three waivers every season -- and harsher disciplinary actions are expected once the first event in London actually starts. LIV Golf is a rival golf league to the PGA Tour where the tournaments consist of 54 holes, the fields are limited to 48 golfers and the purses are an astronomical $25 million. The politically correct answer that LIV Golf purports that it wants to give players an opportunity to make more money than they do on the PGA Tour and grow the game all over the world. The Tour has over and over again pointed back to its rules and regulations and intimated at either suspending or banning players who choose to play in this league. As a response to this, many players, including world No. 13 Dustin Johnson, have simply resigned from the Tour and will continue to play LIV Golf as essentially their regular season golf league. These funds are seemingly limitless as the league has paid hundreds of millions of dollars to players just to guarantee their appearances at the LIV Golf Invitational Series events. Just say it's about the piles and piles of money. LIV Golf, empowered by its unlimited war chest of resources to throw at the best players, is officially going to battle with the PGA Tour. As it stands right now, the best player in the league is two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, who was reportedly paid nine figures for his services. At every step along the way, answers about this league have only produced more questions, and clarification has only made the future more complicated.

Officially known as the LIV Golf Invitational Series, the Saudi-funded league will stage its first tournament this week at Centurion Club, near London. There ...

The $25 million purse for the London event is the largest in golf history. The only way to catch LIV Golf’s London event is online. There is no cut, and golfers will all play at the same time, with a shotgun start in use. LIV Golf is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which is among the most lucrative sovereign wealth funds in the world, with an estimated value of $600 billion. The most notable case in recent years was the assignation and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post reporter and outspoken critic of the Saudi government. The 48-player field will compete against each other in a stroke-play format over 54 holes.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series, a direct competitor to the PGA Tour, gets started this week outside London.

This time, he’s doing it with Saudi money. LIV Golf: Phil Mickelson will join 47 other golfers in the LIV Golf event at Centurion Club. Among the other golfers is two-time major winner Dustin Johnson, who reportedly will receive more than $100 million, plus any prize money he wins, to join the new league. After months of controversy, the LIV Golf Invitational Series begins Thursday outside London with its first tournament.

Throwing enough money at star players until they stop saying no appears to be working out after all.

The best players in the world have one: to make as much as they can without compromising their reputations to such an extent that the social costs outweigh the financial gains. The Saudi government has had a few PR problems in its many decades as a valued partner of Western governments. The NBA’s owners and commissioner made a business decision—a common one—to take their business to a country that is currently engaged in genocide. He has since tucked tail and planned a visit to Riyadh, because he needs the country’s help getting our gas prices from $4.80 to $3.70. The Saudis had leverage—oil—and flexed it until Biden did what they wanted. Jim Nantz referred on air to Varner’s win as having come “overseas.” There is a business fight here, and to the PGA Tour’s media allies, the Saudi government is on the wrong side of it. There are a few theories as to why the Saudi entrance to pro golf has drawn such blowback, while other sports ( and golf itself) have plenty of dealings with autocratic governments and have been able to carry them on without much trouble. One idea is that LIV Golf has positioned itself as an alternative to the existing golf ecosystem rather than part and parcel of it. Johnson was among the players who pledged fealty to the PGA Tour after Mickelson put his foot in his mouth, but the Saudis evidently threw enough money at him that Johnson couldn’t remain a “no.” The bandied-about cost of his services for the new tour is somewhere north of $100 million, which would be at least $25 million more than Johnson has made on the course in an illustrious tour career. In this period, LIV Golf, a product of the Saudis’ Public Investment Fund, was rumored to be offering lots of money to lots of different professional golfers, and many of them were in turn rumored to be taking the Saudi courtship quite seriously. But Nicklaus has said he turned down multiple offers from the Saudis, and most of the golf world has lined up with him—often with harsher things to say about the upstart tour. Whatever the figure, Johnson’s agent said it was “too compelling to pass up,” even baking in the loss of a sponsorship deal with the Royal Bank of Canada and who knows what else. First there was an up period, which gathered steam in 2021 and reached a crescendo in the early months of 2022.

The pro golf landscape is shifting in real time. From LIV player commitments (Phil Mickelson) to resignations to sanctions, here's the latest.

“I can’t answer for the majors, but hopefully they’re going to allow us to play,” Johnson said. But for me to believe this will be around long-term … it’s going to have to be a business.” But the LIV pros sure seem resigned to whatever awaits. And that’s fine, it might be a really cool payday for a few guys for a while. “Our decision regarding our field for the 2022 U.S. Open should not be construed as the USGA supporting an alternative organizing entity, nor supportive of any individual player actions or comments. And we ultimately decided that they should not,” the statement continued. “At this time it’s hard to speak on what the consequences will be, but for right now I resigned my membership from the Tour,” Johnson said. Among the biggest questions surrounding players departing the Tour was their ability to participate in major championships. “I worked really hard to earn that lifetime membership,” he said. Amy has been very supportive of it and with me and the process. What the consequences will be, obviously I can’t comment on how the Tour’s going to handle.” The 49-year-old Brit, who also serves as the broadcast voice of Emmy-winning Apple TV show “Ted Lasso,” doesn’t have a background calling golf.

Major winners Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell were asked about playing in the LIV International series given Saudi Arabia's human ...

I try to worry about golf and I am excited about this week. I don't want to play golf for the rest of my life which I felt like I was probably going to have to do. I try to hit a golf ball into a small hole. I love using the game of golf as something to help grow around the world and be role models to kids, try to use this game as a force for good. If Saudi Arabia want to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, I think we're proud to help them on that journey. I'm sorry if this is a bit of a crass question to ask, but it is essentially about the money why you're here, isn't it?

Here is the format, the captains, the teams and the team names for the first LIV Golf event in London.

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The LIV Golf Invitational Series launched its 12 teams on Tuesday and captains chose three players each via a live draft.

The Public Investment Fund, an autonomous wealth fund administered by the government of Saudi Arabia, is the main shareholder. CLEEKS GC PUNCH GC

The 7 dumbest comments made at Tuesday's pathetic LIV Golf press conferences ; Talor Gooch, who has one win on the PGA Tour, decided to play dumb instead of ...

It’s the same government that has committed various human rights violations for many years but now this golf league is here to try to help them look like better people. If you’re wondering about LIV Golf, it’s a new golf league funded by the Saudi government, which executed 81 people on March 12 of this year. Follow the Twilight 9 Podcast: Apple Podcasts

ST. ALBANS, England – Graeme McDowell accepts it is “incredibly polarizing” to join the Saudi-funded rebel golf tour. He even offered a reason why.

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LIV Golf Tour is set to host its inaugural event in London from Thursday, June 9 through Saturday, June 11. As the start date for the tournament draws ...

So, while the LIV Golf Tour may look like a strange name on paper, there is actually a reason they chose it. The PGA Tour has insisted that players must choose between competing in PGA Tour events and in LIV Golf events. LIV Golf has managed to lure players like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen and Kevin Na over from the PGA Tour to join its ranks.

The 51-year-old is ending his self-imposed four-month exile from the sport to compete in this week's inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series tournament at Centurion Club. Mickelson skipped his PGA Championship defence following a backlash over comments he ...

I love using the game of golf as something to help grow around the world and be role models to kids, try to use this game as a force for good. If Saudi Arabia want to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, I think we're proud to help them on that journey. "I'm going to play here for now, and that's the plan. The format changes in the Team Championship, which is a seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out tournament. He said: "I have been a part of the Tour for over 30 years. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. I believe LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well. I think this is going to do a lot of good for the game." But at this time, this is an opportunity that gives me a chance to have the most balance in my life going forward. "I've also seen the good the game of golf has done throughout history. It's given me time to continue some of the work and therapy that I've been working on, on some areas I'm deficient in, in my life. He added: "As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right.' And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage.

Phil Mickelson says he feels "so good" about the balance playing in the LIV Golf Series provides and added he will not resign from the PGA Tour during a ...

I love using the game of golf as something to help grow around the world and be role models to kids, try to use this game as a force for good. If Saudi Arabia want to use the game of golf as a way for them to get to where they want to be, I think we're proud to help them on that journey. "I'm going to play here for now, and that's the plan. The format changes in the Team Championship, which is a seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out tournament. He said: "I have been a part of the Tour for over 30 years. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. I believe LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well. I think this is going to do a lot of good for the game." But at this time, this is an opportunity that gives me a chance to have the most balance in my life going forward. "I've also seen the good the game of golf has done throughout history. It's given me time to continue some of the work and therapy that I've been working on, on some areas I'm deficient in, in my life. He added: "As nice a guy as [PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan] comes across as, unless you have leverage, he won't do what's right.' And the Saudi money has finally given us that leverage.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series, a new league designed to compete with the PGA Tour, will start play Thursday at the Centurion Golf Club in London.

On Tuesday, the 2010 U.S. Open winner from Northern Ireland, said he accepts that it is "incredibly polarizing" to be involved with Saudi Arabia-sponsored league. "If you see where I'm at in my career, I don't have a full PGA Tour card. Kaymer, who hails from Germany, explained that the additional money to be earned at the LIV series is not the singular motivator for joining the new league. PGA Tour victories: 1 García, who ranks 10th all time on the PGA Tour money list, has 36 international tournament victories in his career. PGA Tour victories: 1 "I can't wait to get out of here, my friend.” Out of 12 starts on tour this season, Na had six finishes in the top 25 and two in the top 10.he desired the “freedom to play wherever I want and exercising my right as a free agent gives me that opportunity." He also said he would join a Saudi-funded series because it was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.” Mickelson, who ranks second on the career money list and eighth in career wins, has not resigned his membership on the PGA Tour. Johnson, the 2016 U.S. Open champion and 2020 Masters winner, ranks third on the PGA Tour career money list and tied for 26th on the all-time wins list. The South Carolina native, who is married to Paulina Gretzky, daughter of legendary NHL star Wayne Gretzky, reportedly received $125 million from the LIV to leave the PGA Tour. This has not stopped more than 40 players from committing to play for the $255 million prize money, which is the richest in golf history.

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have downplayed the controversy surrounding the LIV Golf Series while admitting they are unsure of their Ryder Cup futures as ...

"I won't play on the PGA Tour next year because I won't have enough tournaments this year, so I will only compete on the European Tour, and there was a great opportunity to play a different kind of golf with different kinds of golf tournaments. Of course, we'd love to earn a little bit more money in the tournaments that we play - it's very human - but money was never a motivator when I started playing golf. The format changes in the Team Championship, which is a seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out tournament. "LIV is there and they've made the statement not to try and be a threat to these other tours. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. It's given me time to continue some of the work and therapy that I've been working on, on some areas I'm deficient in, in my life. I think the format is exciting as well - it's very fair, everybody plays at the same time. The world we live in has become very money-driven, and that's why I like the field that they invited this week. "It's competition isn't it and I think competition in any sport is good. This allows me to be more present and engaged with people I care about. "This is no different really, so I feel educated on it, it's something I've done in the past. It's a magnificent opportunity I'm really looking forward to."

PHIL MICKELSON STRESSED he does not condone human rights violations ahead of the first Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series event at Centurion Club.

I’m certainly aware of what has happened with Jamal Khashoggi and I think it’s terrible. “I earned my lifetime membership and I don’t want to give that up, I don’t believe I should have to,” the six-time major winner added. “I have also seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history and I believe LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well.”

The inaugural event will take place at Centurion Club, St Albans this week.

Oliver Fisher (979) Bernd Wiesberger (t-90) Of the $25m, $5m will be split between the top three teams. In terms of scoring, the best two individual scores will count towards the team’s overall total across the opening two rounds, with the best three scores combining on the third and final round. There will also be individual and team competitions within the same event. LIV Golf Series events will be played over three days and 54 holes, rather than the traditional four-day events with 72 holes.

Saudi-backed events threaten major disruption to golf's old order, though top players are not signing up in numbers for now.

Golfers hope those behind the biennial event will ultimately decide it is not worth negatively affecting their product – both in terms of players and captains – by ostracising LIV participants. What does a player “resigning from a Tour” actually mean?Johnson and García have ended their relationship with the PGA Tour, which means they will not be eligible to feature on that circuit. Each competition is played over three rounds, as opposed to the four that are standard on mainstream tours. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are the highest profile opponents of the LIV plan. None of the world’s top 10 have any apparent interest in it. The 48-man field includes amateurs and 27 of the world’s top 150 ranked players.

After months of speculation and back-and-forth between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, the new Saudi-backed series is to get underway on the outskirts of London ...

"We have a long-term vision and we're here to stay," said Norman, the CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, via a release. The prize purse doubles for the season finale in Miami and sees $50m allocated between each of the 12 four-man teams. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. The format changes in the Team Championship, which is a seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out tournament. It also refers to the lowest score a player can shoot were they to birdie every hole on a par-72 course. Phil Mickelson was added to that list on Monday evening after months of controversy surrounding comments he made about the breakaway series.

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have been under the spotlight ahead of the start of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tournament.

"I think there is so much more to it than the money. "I don't need to answer that question. It's a massive opportunity that I am really looking forward to."

But in February when controversy erupted over comments critical of the PGA Tour by Phil Mickelson, there was a massive shift, with several players coming out in ...

I'm just going to keep playing professional golf and enjoy it wherever it takes me, play with the best players in the world. LIV Golf pivoted to a series of eight tournaments this year with 10 scheduled for 2023 and the launch of the league in 2024. DeChambeau, who has eight PGA Tour victories, has mostly endured a lost 2022 while has he has dealt with injuries, including a broken bone in his left hand that required surgery. That's really all I've got, that's what I'll do for the rest of my life, because I want to be one of the best players in the world." “Every person out here has their own opinion on it," he said. The original plan was for LIV Golf to start a league comprised of 14 tournaments this year with a team element a big part of the profile.

LIV Golf has refused to deny a report claiming Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler will become the latest names to join the Saudi-backed ...

It's given me time to continue some of the work and therapy that I've been working on, on some areas I'm deficient in, in my life. I'm just going to keep playing professional golf and enjoy it wherever it takes me, play with the best players in the world. For the third and final round, the best three scores will count, with the lowest overall team score after 54 holes being named the team winner. Having the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something unique has always been intriguing to him. And as of right now, the golf world is probably going to change in some capacity. The LIV Golf Series' inaugural event begins this week at the Centurion Club; DeChambeau's agent Brett Falkoff said: "Bryson has always been an innovator.

A report says Bryson DeChambeau is headed to play the LIV Golf circuit. His agent released a statement.

For more information about cross-device matching, please visit the Network Advertising Initiative or the Digital Advertising Alliance. If you opt out of cross-device tracking for advertising purposes, we may still conduct cross-device tracking for other purposes, such as analytics. Information may still be collected and used for other purposes, such as research, online services analytics or internal operations, and to remember your opt-out preferences. Ad Selection and Delivery Cookies: These Cookies are used to collect data about your browsing habits, your use of the Services, your preferences, and your interaction with advertisements across platforms and devices for the purpose of delivering interest-based advertising content on the Services and on third-party sites. Social media platforms have the ability to track your online activity outside of the Services. This may impact the content and messages you see on other services you visit. Connected Devices: For connected devices, such as smart TVs or streaming devices, you should review the device’s settings and select the option that allows you to disable automatic content recognition or ad tracking. Browser Controls: You may be able to disable and manage some Cookies through your browser settings. Flash cookies need to be deleted in the storage section of your Flash Player Settings Manager. Third-party sites and services also use interest-based Advertising Cookies to deliver content, including advertisements relevant to your interests on the Services and third-party services. They are also used to recognize you and provide further insights across platforms and devices for the above purposes. You should read the Privacy Policy and this Notice for a full picture of NBCUniversal’s use of your information. Measurement and Analytics: These Cookies collect data regarding your usage of and performance of the Services, apply market research to generate audiences, and measure the delivery and effectiveness of content and advertising. You can set your browser to block these Cookies, but some parts of the site may not function properly.

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open Champion, is joining the LIV Golf Invitational Series, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday. Patrick Reed, the 2018 ...

I'm just going to keep playing professional golf and enjoy it wherever it takes me, play with the best players in the world. "I don't think he's a bad dude. "I think that's mostly -- a lot of it is private," DeChambeau said. I mean, I think a lot of us are -- I don't know if annoyed or tired is the right word. And as of right now, the golf world is probably going to change in some capacity. Professional golf as we know it is changing, and it's happening quickly."

Bryson DeChambeau is the latest big-name golfer to commit to LIV Golf – here's what we know about the new golf league that's set to tee off Thursday.

Johnson’s inclusion in the field of LIV Golf’s first tournament was a bombshell, considering the 2020 Masters champion’s firmly expressed allegiance to the PGA Tour in February. Garcia, Johnson, Na and Oosthuizen resigned from the PGA Tour this week. The bodies of the Open Championship and the PGA Championship have yet to comment on how LIV Golf affects future qualification. LIV Golf participants are being allowed to play at next week’s U.S. Open. Garcia, Johnson, Mickelson and Reed are qualified for the Masters for life as former winners of the tournament.

Golf Channel broadcaster Jerry Foltz is pictured in 2020. Jerry Foltz, formerly of Golf Channel, will be the most familiar voice to American golf fans as LIV ...

In accordance with the CBS-rooted premise that at least half of all on-air golf talent must speak in a foreign accent, there will be no respite from this colloquial quirk on LIV productions. Something that emboldens LIV Golf’s telecasts with a truly progressive, youth-friendly edge. The potential defection of Rickie Fowler, another popularity-contest winner whose career has continued to crumble over the last three years, might be in the best interest of both parties. It may take every slip of paper in the idea box to stamp this thing with an identity — if there’s one thing the game doesn’t need, it’s another obscure tour. Like any fledgling company in almost any type of business, LIV Golf will unveil its product to the public later this week in a promotional blaze of promises and proposed progress. Money is no object, revenue hardly a priority as the Saudis seek other forms of value on their mission, attention being one of them.