LIV Golf signals intent with 2023 expansion

Ahead of tomorrow’s LIV Golf Invitational Series at Trump Bedminster and hot on the heels of the PGA Tour’s reshuffling of the FedExCup fields to exclude rebel players, the breakaway tour has announced its plans for 2023.

Next year’s schedule is set to feature 14 tournaments, up from the eight inaugural events this year. The top 24 in each tournament will earn points on a season-long leaderboard similar to the FedExCup or Race To Dubai and, following the conclusion of the 2023 schedule, the bottom four players will lose their tour card.

2016 Open champion and former Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson will be one of four debutants at the LIV Golf Invitational Series – Bedminster (Credit: DP World Tour)

Organisers added that the proposed schedule will not compete with any majors, international team events, such as World Golf Championships or “heritage events” including the Arnold Palmer Invitational or the Memorial.

Also new to the LIV Golf schedule is the addition of an end of season “Promotions” tournament. Similar to the annual Q-School events on many tours, players will get the chance to become part of the exclusive 48-man LIV Golf field via a single multi-round qualifying tournament.

The Promotions event will provide several pathways where players can earn their way into the qualifying field, including the Asian Tour’s International Series money list, a major win in the past five years and the top 75 players in the Official World Rankings.

Also exempt would be any PGA Tour or DP World Tour winners from the past year, recent Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup team members, major amateur tournament champions including those from the US and British Amateurs and previously relegated LIV players from the previous two years.

Although an official tournament schedule has yet to be released, LIV Golf has committed to expanding its footprint with tournaments expected to take place across North and South America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe. Players will compete for a total prize fund of US$405 million up from $255 million.

“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf ecosystem as we know it, one that provides an opportunity for players and fans around the world to help maximise our beloved sport’s true potential,” said LIV Golf CEO, Greg Norman.

“Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement to fans from all corners of the world, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with. The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars.”

Members will also have the chance to play in various events on the Asian Tour thanks to LIV Golf’s multi-million dollar injection into the tour earlier this year. This will have the added benefit of allowing players who have been suspended from the European and PGA Tours to earn valuable World Ranking points.

The third iteration of LIV Golf Invitational Series kicks off at Trump Bedminster this Friday with Paul Casey, Jason Kokrak, Charles Howell III and former Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson making their debuts.

An all-Australian team will feature Matt Jones, Jed Morgan, Travis Smyth and Wade Ormsby.