History of LIV Golf in Timeline

LIV Golf is a professional men's golf tour established in 2022. The name 'LIV' represents the Roman numerals for 54, the number of holes played in its events. It began as the LIV Golf Invitational Series in June 2022 at the Centurion Club in the UK and evolved into the LIV Golf League in 2023.

1954: Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel Opening

In 1954, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, the location of Miami nightclub LIV, opened.

1994: World Golf Tour Proposal

In 1994, Greg Norman partnered with Fox Sports on a proposed circuit known as the World Golf Tour, consisting of eight international tournaments open to top players on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

2008: Opening of Miami Nightclub LIV

In 2008, Miami nightclub LIV, named after its location in the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, originally opened in 1954, was opened.

2008: Dustin Johnson's PGA Earnings

Since 2008, Dustin Johnson had won 24 PGA events and earned $74 million before resigning from the PGA tour in June 2022 to join LIV golf.

2016: Trump Blames Saudi Arabia for 9/11

In 2016, Donald Trump blamed Saudi Arabia for the 9/11 attack during an interview on Fox News. This was raised again when he hosted the LIV Tour in July 2022.

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2019: Premier Golf League Announcement

In 2019, the Premier Golf League was announced. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan responded by implying that golfers would be barred from PGA Tour events if they played in a new league.

2020: Golf Saudi Funds New Entity

In 2020, Golf Saudi funded a new entity with plans to establish a global professional league, often referred to as the "Super Golf League".

2020: Strategic Alliance Formed

In 2020, the PGA European Tour and the PGA Tour formed a "strategic alliance" to collaborate on commercial opportunities, scheduling, and prize funds for each tour's membership.

October 2021: LIV Golf Investments Launched

In October 2021, LIV Golf Investments was formally launched, with former professional golfer Greg Norman named as CEO.

2021: Norman Denies Sportswashing Accusations

In 2021, Greg Norman denied that he was being used for sportswashing and said he works for LIV because of his passion for the sport.

2021: Launch of LIV Golf

The league launched in 2021 and Greg Norman stepped away after four years in September 2025.

March 2022: LIV Golf Announces First Tournament Schedule

On March 17, 2022, Greg Norman announced the schedule for the first eight LIV Golf tournaments, featuring a total prize money of $255 million. These no-cut, 54-hole tournaments include 48 players divided into 12 teams, with shotgun starts and significant prize purses for individual and team performances.

May 2022: Norman Defends Saudi Crown Prince

In May 2022, Greg Norman defended the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Jamal Khashoggi's murder, sparking criticism.

May 2022: James Piot Turns Professional

In May 2022, reigning U.S. Amateur champion James Piot turned professional and chose to play in the first LIV Golf tournament without having joined the PGA Tour.

June 2022: League Format Evolution

In June 2022, it was reported that LIV Golf would evolve into a league format with a 14-event schedule and 48 contracted players the following year.

June 2022: PGA and European Tours Strengthen Alliance

In June 2022, the PGA and European tours announced a strengthening of their "strategic alliance", with the PGA Tour increasing their stake in European Tour Productions to 40% and further changes being made to the European Tour.

June 2022: First LIV Golf Invitational Series Event

In June 2022, the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event commenced at the Centurion Club near St Albans in Hertfordshire, UK, marking the beginning of the LIV Golf tour.

June 2022: Tiger Woods Declines LIV Offer

In a Washington Post interview published on June 5, 2022, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said that Tiger Woods had declined to join LIV Golf, turning down a deal worth hundreds of millions.

June 2022: Field Released for First LIV Golf Event

On June 1, 2022, the field was released for the first LIV Golf event at the Centurion Club, including former world number ones Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood, as well as former major champions Sergio García, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel. Dustin Johnson resigned from the PGA Tour on June 7, 2022.

June 2022: Henrik Stenson Removed as Ryder Cup Captain

On June 2022, Henrik Stenson was removed from his position as captain of the European Ryder Cup team due to his decision to join LIV Golf.

June 2022: 9/11 Survivors Thank PGA Tour Loyalists

On June 22, 2022, a group of nearly 2,500 survivors and family members of victims of the September 11 attacks wrote an open letter to golfers who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour, thanking them for not defecting to LIV Golf.

June 2022: Kevin Na Resigns from PGA Tour

On June 4, 2022, Kevin Na became the first member of the PGA Tour to resign to participate in LIV Golf.

June 2022: PGA Tour Sanctions LIV Golf Participants

On June 9, 2022, the PGA Tour announced that its members participating in LIV Golf events would be sanctioned, including ineligibility to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup.

July 2022: LIV Golf Applies for OWGR Inclusion

In July 2022, LIV Golf formally applied to be included in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), initiating a process that typically takes one to two years.

July 2022: Tiger Woods Criticizes LIV Golf

In July 2022, Tiger Woods criticized golfers who joined LIV Golf, stating that they had "turned their back" on the PGA Tour.

July 2022: DOJ Investigates PGA Tour

On July 11, 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States Department of Justice was investigating the PGA Tour for potential anti-competitive behavior related to LIV Golf.

July 2022: 9/11 Families Condemn Trump for Hosting LIV Golf

On July 17, 2022, a group of September 11 victims' family members condemned former U.S. president Donald Trump for hosting the LIV Golf tour at his Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

July 2022: Promotion and Relegation System Announced

On July 27, 2022, Greg Norman announced that LIV Golf would implement a promotion and relegation system, featuring a rankings list and a four-player relegation out of the 48 contracted players. The league has a prize fund of $405 million.

August 2022: Antitrust Lawsuits Filed

In August 2022, LIV Golf and several players filed an antitrust civil suit against the PGA Tour, which countersued, alleging that LIV Golf was encouraging players to breach their contracts.

August 2022: Cameron Smith and Joaquín Niemann Join LIV Golf

In August 2022, before the fourth event in Boston, LIV Golf announced that six more players had joined, including Open champion and world number two Cameron Smith and Chilean world number 19 Joaquín Niemann.

September 2022: PGA Tour Excludes LIV Players from Co-sanctioned Events

In September 2022, Sports Illustrated reported that the PGA Tour had sent letters to Japan Golf Tour members notifying them that the PGA Tour would exclude LIV Golf players from their co-sanctioned events.

October 2022: Strategic Alliance with MENA Tour

In October 2022, LIV Golf entered into a "strategic alliance" with the MENA Tour, with the intention of gaining ranking points for LIV Golf events. However, it was later confirmed that events in 2022 would not receive points.

October 2022: LIV Golf Team Championship

In October 2022, the inaugural season of the LIV Golf Invitational Series concluded with a Team Championship, held at Trump National Doral Miami. The event was a "seeded four-day, four-round, match play knock-out" tournament.

2022: LIV Golf Recruits New Players

After 2022, LIV Golf continued recruiting new players for its golf league. Danny Lee, Thomas Pieters, Mito Pereira, Sebastian Munoz were among the players who joined the circuit.

January 2023: LIV Signs First National Broadcasting Deal in the United States with The CW

In January 2023, LIV Golf signed its first national broadcasting deal in the United States with The CW, a network controlled by Nexstar Media Group. Some CW affiliates declined to carry LIV Golf due to existing commitments, requiring the network to find alternate affiliates.

January 2023: Release of LIV Golf League Season 2 Schedule

In January 2023, the schedule for the second LIV Golf season was released, which was now named the LIV Golf League, previously the LIV Golf Invitational Series. The season included 14 no cut 54-hole tournaments in locations such as the U.S., Mexico, Singapore, and Australia. Talor Gooch won the individual championship and Crushers GC won the team championship.

March 2023: Miami Nightclub LIV Opposes LIV Golf Trademark

In March 2023, David Grutman's Miami nightclub, LIV, filed a Notice of Opposition to block a U.S. trademark registration by LIV Golf, claiming similarities in their brands would cause dilution.

June 2023: LIV Golf, PGA Tour, and PGA European Tour Announce Merger

On June 6, 2023, LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the PGA European Tour announced an agreement to merge their commercial rights into a new for-profit entity, funded by the Public Investment Fund. The merger aims to unify golf globally, with Jay Monahan as CEO and Yasir Al-Rumayyan as chairman. The agreement ends existing litigation and outlines a process for players to re-apply for membership.

October 2023: OWGR Originally Denies LIV Golf's Inclusion

In October 2023, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) originally denied LIV Golf's inclusion in the ranking system.

December 2023: Details of the new individual championship not released

As of December 2023, details about the format of the individual championship have not been released.

December 2023: Jon Rahm Signs with LIV Golf

In December 2023, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm signed with LIV Golf and was given ownership in a new expansion team, later named Legion XIII. To fill his team, Rahm signed Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt to LIV Golf, along with adding Kieran Vincent.

2023: LIV Golf Adelaide Award

In 2023, LIV Golf Adelaide was awarded the title of the world's best golf event at the World Golf Awards, a recognition that would extend from 2023 through 2025.

2023: LIV Golf League Formation

In 2023, the Invitational Series transitioned to become the LIV Golf League, signifying an evolution in the structure of the professional golf tour.

December 31, 2023: Deadline for PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund Deal

December 31, 2023 was the initial deadline for completing the deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, although negotiations for an extension were reportedly underway.

January 2024: Jury Selection Scheduled

In January 2024, jury selection for the upcoming trial between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour was scheduled to take place.

January 31, 2024: PGA Tour Announces Investment from Strategic Sports Group

On January 31, 2024, the PGA Tour announced an investment into its for-profit arm, PGA Tour Enterprises, by a Fenway Sports Group-backed consortium known as Strategic Sports Group. The group committed $1.5 billion initially, with a second $1.5 billion contingent on further negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Active players would also have the opportunity to receive equity grants in PGA Tour Enterprises.

February 2024: Start of the 2024 LIV Golf Season

The 2024 LIV Golf season began in February 2024, featuring 14 no-cut 54-hole tournaments. New locations included West Virginia, Nashville, Las Vegas, Houston, and Hong Kong. The season would feature a new individual championship in addition to the team championship. Newcomers for the season included Tyrell Hatton and Jon Rahm.

March 2024: LIV Withdraws OWGR Bid

In a March 2024 letter to players, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman advised that LIV would no longer pursue its bid for world ranking points.

2024: Introduction of "Any Shot, Any Time" on LIV Golf's Streaming Platform

In 2024, LIV Golf, partnered with Google Cloud, introduced a feature on its streaming platform known as "Any Shot, Any Time". This feature provides broadcast coverage for all groups, allowing viewers to customize the live stream and on-demand highlights to focus on specific players.

January 2025: Scott O'Neil Replaces Greg Norman as CEO

On January 15, 2025, Scott O'Neil was announced as the replacement for Greg Norman as CEO of LIV Golf, effective that day. However, Norman's contract continued until August 2025.

January 2025: Fox Sports Signs Multi-Year Deal with LIV Golf

On January 16, 2025, Fox Sports signed a multi-year deal with LIV Golf to broadcast the tour, with coverage divided between Fox Sports 1 and the Fox broadcast network, and overflow on Fox Sports 2 and Fox Business. This deal followed LIV Golf's struggle to gain viewership on The CW.

February 2025: ITV to Broadcast 2025 Season in the UK

In February 2025, ITV signed a deal to broadcast the 2025 LIV Golf season in the United Kingdom via their ITVX streaming platform, with selected events on ITV1 and ITV4.

March 2025: LIV Golf Announces Global Broadcasting Agreement with DAZN

In March 2025, LIV Golf announced a global broadcasting agreement with DAZN, streaming events via the FAST channel LIV Golf+ on the DAZN app, and developing a paid subscription service. The deal covered around 200 countries, with exclusive rights in several regions. LIV estimated coverage in 120 countries, with events seen by 2.5 to 3.5 million viewers on average.

August 2025: Top Ten Career Money Leaders

As of August 2025, the top ten career money leaders on the tour are as follows:

August 2025: End of Greg Norman's Contract

In August 2025, Greg Norman's contract with LIV Golf ended, after which he had no remaining formal duties.

September 2025: Greg Norman Steps Away

In September 2025, Greg Norman confirmed that he was stepping away from LIV Golf entirely, ending his four-year association with the league since its launch in 2021.

October 2025: Confirmation of the 2026 LIV Golf Schedule

In October 2025, the 2026 LIV Golf schedule was officially confirmed, featuring events in South Africa, Mexico City, and New Orleans, among other locations. This schedule marks the league's first event in South Africa.

November 2025: Transition to 72-Hole Tournaments

In November 2025, LIV Golf announced that beginning with the 2026 season, its regular-season tournaments would transition from the traditional 54-hole format to 72 holes.

2025: LIV Golf Adelaide Award

LIV Golf Adelaide was recognized as the best golf event in the world at the World Golf Awards, maintaining the title from 2023 through 2025. The 2025 win marks the end of the winning streak.

2025: LIV Golf Schedule Features 14 Events Across Nine Countries

The 2025 LIV Golf schedule included 14 events across nine countries, with new stops in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Spain. The season started in Riyadh with the tour's first-ever tournament played under lights, and the team championship was held in August in Michigan. Six of the 14 events were in the United States.

January 2026: TNT Sports Signs Multi-Year Deal with LIV Golf

In January 2026, TNT Sports signed a multi-year deal with LIV Golf to broadcast the tour for UK and Ireland viewers, replacing previous FTA broadcaster ITV.

February 2026: OWGR Approves LIV Application

In February 2026, the OWGR approved LIV's application, but only the top ten plus ties would receive world ranking points.

February 2026: TNT Sports Adds LIV Golf League to year-round sports portfolio

On February 12, 2026, it was reported that TNT Sports had added the LIV Golf League to its year-round sports portfolio in the UK and Ireland through a new multi-year broadcast agreement.

2026: 72-Hole Format Implementation

Beginning with the 2026 season, LIV Golf's regular-season tournaments transitioned from 54 holes to 72 holes, retaining the league's shotgun-start scheduling and concurrent individual-and-team competition.

2026: LIV Golf Schedule Features Events in South Africa, Mexico City, and New Orleans

The 2026 LIV Golf schedule featured events in South Africa, Mexico City, and New Orleans, among other locations. This marks the league's first event in South Africa.

2026: Introduction of 72-Hole Format in 2026 to Align with Historic Format

The 2026 season will feature the new 72-hole format, announced to align with the historic format recognized globally. This format change is intended to help LIV Golf's inclusion in the Official World Golf Ranking system.

2031: LIV Golf Adelaide Locked In Until At Least 2031

LIV Golf Adelaide is confirmed to continue until at least 2031, with plans to relocate to a Greg Norman-designed championship course on the North Adelaide Golf Course, funded by the South Australian Government.