This week, the most controversial and lucrative golf tournament in the world will be held on the outskirts London.
This is all you need to know: who’s playing, how much money they’re offering and why it’s so popular in the world of golf.
Who is the player?
The world number 15 and two-time major champion Dustin Johnson is the highest-ranked player among the 48-man field. Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa’s former Open champion), is the next highest player at 21.
Phil Mickelson joined. At 50, the American was the oldest major champion after he won the 2021 US PGA Championship – his sixth major – at the age of fifty.
After making “reckless comments” about the Saudi regime, he took a four-month exile.
The European Ryder Cup team has several key players, including Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood from England, as well as Sergio Garcia of Spain and Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland.
What is LIV golf?
LIV Golf is a start up organization, headed by Greg Norman, a former world number one and two-time major winner.
LIV Golf Investments’ chief executive officer is the 67-year old Australian. It was announced that they would invest more than $200m (PS145m), to support 10 new Asian Tour events each year over the next ten years.
The majority shareholder is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which was instrumental in financing the recent takeover by Newcastle United.
LIV Golf announced in March a $250m eight-event invitational series. Norman then told BBC Sport in May that he had received an additional PS1.6bn from the PIF to make the series a 14-event league.
It is controversial.
There are two main reasons for the funding of LIV Golf Investments.
Saudi Arabia’s PIF is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In February 2021, a classified US intelligence report claimed that Bin Salman was complicit with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a claim Bin Salman denies.
One of the countries accused is the Gulf kingdom, which has been accused of investing in sports and using high-profile events in order to’sportswash’ its reputation in other areas of the globe.
Norman, when asked about the Saudi Arabian regime and Khashoggi’s death, said that “we all make errors” but also added that they are “changing our culture in their country”.
The PIF provides funding for many sporting events such as Formula 1, boxing and football.
What has the team said about you?
Dustin Johnson initially disassociated himself from LIV Golf in February. He stated that he was still committed to the PGA Tour. He has since resigned from his PGA Tour membership, and has signed to LIV golf for a reported $150m.
Speaking at Centurion Club Tuesday, the 37-year old said that he didn’t want “to play for the rest” and that this gave him an opportunity to do what he wanted.
Graeme McDowell made the same comments as every other golfer when he was asked about Khashoggi’s murder.
He said, “No one’s going to argue this fact but we’re all golfers.” We are not politicians.
Saudi Arabia can use golf to reach their goals. We are proud to support them in that endeavor, with the help of the game and our abilities to grow the sport.
