"LIV Golf Unveiled, 'Starts on the 9th'... 'Big Hit or Big Miss?'"

Saudi-Led LIV Golf Invitational Series Kicks Off 8-Tournament Journey from London, UK, Spotlight on "319.2 Billion Won Money Fest"

Dustin Johnson, ranked 15th in the world, has announced his participation in the first LIV Golf event starting on the 9th.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A $255 million (319.2 billion KRW) money feast."

The new global professional golf tour 'LIV Golf Invitational Series,' supported by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), is finally launching. The tour consists of a total of eight tournaments, kicking off on the night of the 9th (Korean time) at the Centurion Golf Club in London, UK, then moving through four events in the United States, followed by stops in Bangkok, Thailand, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and finally Miami, USA. It is interesting that LIV Golf is still fiercely competing with established powers like the PGA Tour and European Tour over recruiting world-class stars. How will the popularity turn out?

▲ "Only 48 players, the keyword is money" = LIV Golf offers a total prize purse of $25 million (3.13 billion KRW) per tournament, including $20 million for individual competition and $5 million for team competition, which deserves attention. This is even more than the PGA Tour's highest prize event, The Players Championship (dubbed the 'fifth major'), which offers $20 million. Ultimately, the intention is to lure players with 'oil money.' Forty-eight players will be divided into 12 teams through a draft system and will play three rounds without a cut-off.

The individual champion can win a $4 million first prize plus the team prize, making a jackpot of $5 million (626 million KRW) possible in one go. After seven events held in Portland (June 30?July 2, Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club), Bedminster (July 29?31, Trump National), Boston (September 2?4, The International), Chicago (September 16?18, Rich Harvest Farms), Bangkok (October 7?9, Stonehill), and Jeddah (October 14?16, Royal Greens), the top three players will receive an astronomical bonus of $30 million (37.56 billion KRW). The final eighth event in Miami (October 27?30, Blue Monster) will be the team championship with a total prize purse of $50 million.

The 18th hole of the Blue Monster Course at Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida, USA, the battleground for the 'LIV Golf Final 8th Round' Team Championship.

▲ "Johnson and Mickelson join, what about the rest of the players?" = Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf (Australia), has taken the lead in attracting top-ranked players. He stated, "We aim for long-term vision and growth," and "Everyone has the right to play wherever they want." However, the situation is not easy. Most top players, including world No.1 Scottie Scheffler (USA), No.2 Jon Rahm (Spain), No.3 Patrick Cantlay (USA), and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), support the PGA Tour, saying "We already have enough money" and "History and tradition like the majors are more important."

The biggest draw currently is world No.15 Dustin Johnson. The UK Telegraph reported that he received ?100 million (158 billion KRW) as a condition for joining LIV. According to the first event entry list, veterans such as Phil Mickelson (USA), Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood (both England), Sergio Garcia (Spain), and Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) form the core, making it still a 'storm in a teacup.' Kevin Na (USA) recently made headlines by announcing his withdrawal from the PGA Tour.

Phil Mickelson took the lead in promoting LIV Golf, only to find himself in a dire situation as the title sponsor KPMG immediately terminated their contract.

▲ "PGA Tour's expulsion penalty, what is the next step?" = The PGA Tour has introduced various incentives such as the $50 million Player Impact Program and the $20 million Comcast Business Tour Top 10, while firmly declaring, "Players who join LIV Golf will be expelled." Commissioner Jay Monahan visited Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, the battleground of the Memorial Tournament that ended on the 6th, and reiterated, "Both sides cannot coexist."

The PGA Tour views LIV Golf as a challenge. Most American media and companies are also 'PGA Tour-friendly.' When Phil Mickelson (USA) took the lead in promoting LIV Golf, title sponsor KPMG immediately terminated its contract, followed by financial management company Workday, liquor company Amstel, and golf equipment maker Callaway withdrawing one after another. The broadcasting company remains the last variable. Sports marketing naturally depends heavily on 'stars and broadcasting.' The success of LIV Golf is eagerly anticipated.