LIV announces schedule with 14 events in 7 countries

LIV announces schedule with 14 events in 7 countries

The season begins with an event in Mexico's Riviera Maya next month.

Critics say LIV Golf amounts to blatant ‘sportswashing’ by Saudi Arabia. (AFP pic)
LONDON:
LIV Golf’s 2023 schedule will have 14 events set to be played in seven countries with US$405 million in prize purses, the breakaway tour announced today, doubling the number of events from its inaugural season last year.

The season begins with a Feb 24 to Feb 26 event in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and ends with the team championship in the first week of November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Other events will take place in the US, Australia, Singapore, Spain and the UK.

The 2022 season had events held in London, Portland, Bedminster, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok and Jeddah.

“Last year helped lay the foundation for the future of golf at extraordinary courses that have hosted some of the world’s top competitions,” LIV Golf CEO and commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement.

“LIV Golf’s schedule features fantastic venues and championship sites for our official league launch that will carry the sport into a new era.”

Bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf caused a stir in the sport last year when it lured players away from the existing tours with the promise of guaranteed, big-money paydays and a reduced schedule.

Top players such as Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed joined LIV Golf, with the US-based PGA Tour suspending members who opted to join the rival circuit.

Critics say LIV Golf amounts to blatant “sportswashing” by a nation trying to improve its reputation tarnished by a history of human rights abuses.

Earlier this month, LIV Golf secured the US television rights deal it was seeking with the CW Network which will broadcast all 14 events of the Saudi-backed series.

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