Where is LIV Golf Right Now?

Where is LIV Golf Right Now?

By: Patrick Stephenson

Dean Burmester wins LIV Golf in Chicago (picture LIV Golf Staff)

Since its audacious debut in 2022, LIV Golf has remained one of the most controversial stories in sports. Now deep into its 2025 season, the tour is firmly up and running—with back-to-back U.S. events in Chicago (August 8–10) and a first-time stop in Indianapolis (August 15–17) rounding out a globe-spanning schedule.  Amid the familiar spectacle of shotgun starts, team rivalries, and big purses, the tour’s legitimacy continues to stir debate—particularly its ongoing exclusion from the Official World Golf Ranking system and stalled relationship with the PGA Tour. Three years in, LIV remains both disruptor and underdog in professional golf’s evolving landscape.

The On-Course Picture: Season, Players, and Format

LIV Golf’s 2025 calendar has taken on a truly international flavor, with stops across North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The season’s mid-summer swing in the U.S. featured back-to-back events in Chicago and Indianapolis, highlighting the league’s push to penetrate key American markets. Earlier in the year, tournaments in Riyadh, Singapore, and Valderrama reinforced LIV’s ambition to be a global tour.

The player roster remains a major draw. Former major champions like Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, and Sergio García headline fields alongside younger stars such as Joaquín Niemann and Talor Gooch. The competitive mix is enhanced by LIV’s unique blend of individual and team competition, where players chase both personal titles and collective glory for franchises like Legion XIII, 4Aces GC, and Torque GC.

Format-wise, LIV has stuck to its signature 54-hole, no-cut structure with simultaneous shotgun starts, but has made tweaks to increase drama—particularly to its season-ending Team Championship. A relegation system, introduced to add stakes for lower-ranked players, ensures that underperformers risk losing their spots, injecting an element of pressure missing from many traditional tours. The result is a product that’s faster-paced, highly marketable, and built for both live and broadcast consumption.

Money, Ownership, and Commercial Growth

At its core, LIV Golf remains powered by the financial muscle of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns and bankrolls the league. That deep-pocketed backing allows LIV to offer unprecedented prize purses—often $25 million or more per event—and to lure top talent with multi-year, guaranteed contracts.

Beyond player payouts, LIV is actively pushing to build a sustainable business model. Its 13 franchise teams have been encouraged to operate like sports clubs in other leagues, selling naming rights, signing sponsors, and developing fan merchandise. The past year has seen a steady uptick in commercial deals, with sponsors from tech, energy, and consumer goods entering the fold—something LIV executives have likened to the early growth trajectory of Formula 1 teams.

Broadcast distribution has also matured. LIV has struck deals with outlets like The CW Network in the U.S. and various international partners, expanding its reach far beyond streaming on YouTube. Combined with investments in infrastructure, including course development and global event staging, LIV is positioning itself as more than just a cash-rich startup—it’s aiming to become a permanent fixture in the pro golf ecosystem.

Legitimacy & Relationships with Golf’s Institutions

For all its financial stability and player star power, LIV Golf continues to face barriers in the eyes of golf’s traditional institutions. The most visible flashpoint remains its exclusion from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Without points from LIV events, many of its players have slipped down the rankings, affecting their ability to qualify for majors. LIV executives and players, including Jon Rahm, have publicly urged OWGR to “do the right thing,†but the governing body has so far maintained that LIV’s limited field sizes, team format, and 54-hole structure don’t align with its criteria.

Relations with the PGA Tour also remain strained. The much-publicized 2023 framework agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF promised a path toward unification, but negotiations have stalled, with recent reports suggesting the deal may never materialize. Without a formal partnership, players remain largely divided between tours, and eligibility for certain events remains restricted.

These institutional roadblocks keep LIV on the outside looking in—fully operational and growing, but not yet embraced as an equal in the global golf hierarchy.

Public Perception and Political/Ethical Context

From its launch, LIV Golf has been shadowed by criticism over its funding source—the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund—and the country’s human rights record. Detractors have labeled the league an exercise in “sportswashing,†arguing that its lavish payouts are aimed at reshaping global opinion rather than purely growing the game. LIV leadership has countered by framing its mission as innovative and player-focused, emphasizing shorter formats, team dynamics, and global access.

Among fans, reception remains mixed. Some are drawn to the high-energy presentation, music on the course, and approachable team brands. Others see LIV as an unnecessary disruption to golf’s traditions. Sponsorship interest is rising, but certain brands remain cautious about association. That tension—between fresh entertainment value and lingering political baggage—remains a defining part of LIV’s public identity.

Business Outlook — Growth Scenarios and Risks

LIV Golf’s future rests on balancing its momentum with the hurdles that still stand in its way. On the growth side, the league benefits from continued PIF funding, expanding sponsorship portfolios, and a steadily improving broadcast footprint. There’s also potential for format adjustments that could one day satisfy OWGR criteria, unlocking a critical gateway to majors and broader legitimacy. New markets remain on the horizon, with LIV eyeing untapped regions for both events and franchise expansion.

However, risks persist. The stalled relationship with the PGA Tour limits cross-tour competition and public narrative. Reputational headwinds tied to Saudi ownership may deter some sponsors or fans, especially in Western markets. The central funding model, while powerful, raises questions about long-term sustainability if global adoption plateaus. For LIV, the challenge will be proving it’s more than a disruptor—it must become indispensable to professional golf.

Key Takeaways & Looking Ahead to 2026

Three years in, LIV Golf has evolved from a headline-grabbing startup into a fully operational global tour with elite players, substantial purses, and a growing commercial presence. Yet, it remains outside golf’s traditional power structure, with OWGR exclusion and a stalled PGA Tour partnership limiting full acceptance.

Looking to 2026, watch for moves that could shift the narrative—potential format tweaks to meet ranking criteria, further team-brand commercialization, and entry into new markets. If LIV can pair its financial muscle with broader institutional recognition, it could redefine professional golf’s competitive landscape.

Tags: Dean Burmester, LIV Golf