The PGA has long been the world standard for golf tournaments.
Now there’s a new golf league that could rival the Professional Golfers Association, and it’s getting controversial.LIV Golf is not an acronym as most people would expect.
It is the Roman numeral of the number 54.
The number has symbolic meaning, CEO and former PGA professional golfer Greg Norman told Sports Illustrated.
“54 is the lowest score you could shoot if you had to make birdie on every hole on a par 72 course, so there is an ambitious aspect to the thinking.”
“It’s also the number of holes to play in each event.”
This number differs from PGA Tour events, which total 72 holes over four days.
The LIV tournaments will last only three days and will total 54 holes.
How did the AMP respond to the LIV?
All players who decided to participate in the LIV opening event in London were suspended from playing in the PGA, and many lost their sponsorships.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a letter to tour members that the players “are suspended or no longer eligible to participate in PGA TOUR events, including the Presidents Cup.”
This affects 17 members in total, including heavy hitters like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch and Sergio Garcia.
The LIV has deep pockets because it is supported by the wealth of Saudi Arabia.
The PGA considers this poaching, as the LIV ultimately has millions to give to former top PGA players in incentives, prize money and guaranteed payouts.
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How can I watch the first LIV Golf tournament?
The inaugural LIV tournament will be held June 9-11 in London.
It’s called the LIV Golf Invitational London, and it’s not on TV.
