Though the beginner sport stays as in style as ever, the skilled ranks can not get out of their very own method.
The sport stays divided on the prime, with star-studded expertise taking part in on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf however not collectively. Regardless of indicators of an imminent settlement, a deal between the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF), LIV’s benefactor, and the PGA Tour stays in a quandary. After all, the PIF and the tour signed a “framework settlement” 18 months in the past, paving the best way for a concrete deal to unite each excursions by the top of 2023. However that has not but transpired.
As a substitute, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf proceed to function individually, alienating followers and killing tv scores. The 4 majors at the moment are the one occasion the place followers can watch PGA Tour and LIV Golf gamers compete side-by-side. Though the DP World Tour continues to regulate its insurance policies, thus making it simpler for LIV gamers to play on the circuit previously generally known as the European Tour. Look no additional than subsequent week’s Hero Dubai Desert Basic, the place Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will play alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Akshay Bhatia, and others. That ought to delight some followers all over the world.
However are you aware what is not going to?
The skilled golf schedule.
On Tuesday, LIV Golf finalized its 2025 schedule, which took a direct shot on the PGA Tour. The Saudi-backed circuit’s ultimate three occasions will compete straight with the FedEx Cup Playoffs, which has already struggled to garner consideration because of its place on the late-summer calendar. LIV mentioned that they needed to wrap up their yr earlier than the NFL common season begins — the NFL reigns supreme even for a world league — however that may be a bogus excuse. They knew what they had been doing in scheduling their occasions when, hoping to peel extra eyeballs away from the tour and in direction of LIV, which has all however struck a tv cope with Fox Sports activities.
As well as, 4 LIV occasions earlier within the season straight compete with three Signature Occasions and The Gamers Championship.
However who might blame them for making this transfer? Regardless of all of the naysayers and worldwide outcry over the previous few years, LIV has been fairly profitable and exhibits no indicators of slowing down. They needed to disrupt the skilled sport whereas rising it in different components of the world, and to this point, they’ve executed simply that.
However internet hosting three occasions in the USA in August, concurrently the FedEx Cup Playoffs, doesn’t profit anyone. Neither does staging tournaments concurrently marquee occasions just like the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Gamers.
Oh nicely. As soon as once more, the fan loses out essentially the most whereas gamers on each side of the aisle proceed to make tens of millions.
LIV’s full schedule follows under.
LIV Golf 2025 Schedule:
LIV Golf Riyadh — Riyadh Golf Membership — Feb. 6-8, 2025
LIV Golf Adelaide — The Grange Golf Membership — Feb. 14-16, 2025
LIV Golf Hong Kong — Hong Kong Golf Membership — Mar. 7-9, 2025
LIV Golf Singapore — Sentosa Golf Membership (Serapong) — Mar. 14-16, 2025
LIV Golf Miami — Trump Nationwide Doral — Apr. 4-6
LIV Golf Mexico Metropolis — Membership de Golf Chapultepec — Apr. 25-27
LIV Golf Korea — Jack Nicklaus Golf Course — Might 2-4
LIV Golf D.C. — Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership — Jun. 6-8
LIV Golf Dallas — Maridoe Golf Membership — Jun. 27-29
LIV Golf Andalucía — Valderrama Golf Membership — Jul. 11-13
LIV Golf U.Ok. — JCB Golf and Nation Membership — July. 25-27
LIV Golf Chicago — Bolingbrook Golf Membership — Aug. 8-10
LIV Golf Indianapolis — Chatham Hills Golf Membership — Aug. 15-17
LIV Golf Group Championship — The Cardinal at St. John’s Resort — Aug. 22-24
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
