A year ago, LIV Golf found itself in a dominating position, readying to kick off another season. Following the onboarding of Jon Rahm from the PGA Tour and Tyrrell Hatton, another pro from Europe, this league gained significant backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Such high-profile acquisitions led to a renewed sense of intrigue within the tour about the extent of player recruitment from LIV. Now, entering its fourth season, LIV Golf is revved up to host their inaugural tournament of the year – an under-the-lights event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
LIV Golf’s off-the-field alterations have been as noteworthy as its on-field ones. The role of CEO was transitioned from Greg Norman to another veteran sports executive, Scott O’Neil. Alongside, a fresh television deal has been signed, the fiscal influences of which on the Public Investment Fund’s hefty $900 billion remains to be seen.
However, there seems to be a lull in the migration of PGA Tour stars to LIV Golf of late. Apart from minor changes at the end of its 54-strong player roster, LIV Golf has seen no fresh inclusions as 2025 commences. This lack of new recruits has been a blow to its appeal and authenticity.
This shift in leadership, with Scott O’Neil taking over from Greg Norman, occurs at a time when LIV is striving to carve a niche for itself within the golf world. Norman was instrumental in the foundation of this league, serving as a magnet to attract big names who found the monetary benefits from Public Investment Fund irresistible.
Despite making headlines initially, LIV’s player recruitment did not spark a major transformation in golf’s status quo. The 2025 season heralds a fresh phase for LIV, with its success riding heavily on O’Neil’s shoulders.
Even though LIV Golf seemed to be gathering pace, the proposed merger of its commercial ventures and rights into a new profit-oriented entity did not materialize as originally planned. Even though the proceedings have been prolonged, insiders predict a likely accord in the future. However, skepticism still abounds.
Several key players have dialed down their criticism following the initial agreement. Some have even expressed hopefulness about the potential unification of the two factions, despite negative media reports concerning recent setbacks.
Yet, LIV Golf’s image has suffered due to their unsuccessful attempts at securing Official World Golf Ranking points. This shortcoming impacts its players’ chances to qualify for big-ticket championships. The standings in LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format do not fulfill the qualifying criteria set by the OWGR for world ranking points.
Despite these challenges, the appeal of sizeable prize money has drawn golfers of varied experiences to LIV. However, this decision has come at the expense of their professional reputation and legacy, a price too steep for some.
Another league that sparked off on a promising note—The Indoor Golf League, TGL—follows an entirely distinct modus operandi. Comparisons with conventional, outdoor golf, played on lush greens under open skies, are scarcely applicable. Nevertheless, TGL does share LIV Golf’s team-based format.
TGL boasts of considerable financial support, world-class players, reputed brands as sponsors, as well as licensing partners—a set of accomplishments that LIV Golf has yet to secure.
LIV Golf’s initial week of action at the Riyadh Golf Club is scheduled for nighttime, possibly an attempt to tap into the advantages from its freshly-signed TV deal. The 2025 season kicks off with four international competitions before the first US-based competition in April at Trump National Doral.
This year sees a continuation of a trend, with LIV hosting an event at Trump National Doral for four consecutive years. Thus, despite the alterations and hurdles, this season remains a reaffirmation of LIV’s commitment to the sport.
The season finale is slated to be held in Plymouth, Michigan, with a much-anticipated team championship rounding off the year. LIV Golf’s journey through this season is certain to be closely watched by golf enthusiasts globally.
In essence, the 2025 season ushers in a period of transformation and trials for LIV Golf. The season brings with it new leadership, an interesting format, and the pressure of global viewership. Only time will show how these changes will play out in shaping the future of the league.