LIV Golf announces THREE new US courses for 2023 as Greg Norman’s controversial Saudi-backed series will visit Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia as part of expanded calendar
The LIV Golf series will go to three new courses in the United States as part of its expanded schedule next year.
The news that the controversial Saudi-backed Series will visit Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia in 2023 was revealed Wednesday with LIV Tour CEO Greg Norman sharing the news on his Twitter profile, and comes as part of the sport’s first-ever global league.
‘LIV Golf’s expansion to new US markets adds to the growing excitement for the league launch in 2023,’ Norman said in the press release.
Greg Norman’s LIV Golf series will go to three new courses in the United States next year
LIV Tour CEO Greg Norman shared the expansion news on his Twitter profile Wednesday
‘More fans across the country and around the globe will experience the LIV Golf energy and innovative competition that has reinvigorated the sport, and these championship courses will contribute to the transformative season ahead for players, fans and the game of golf.’
Stars such as Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, will play at The Gallery Golf Club in Tuscon, Arizona from March 17-19.
Cedar Ridge Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, will host the PGA Tour’s rival from May 12-14, while the breakaway circuit will go to The Greenbrier in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia from August 4 through August 6.
After being formed this year, the series confirmed it would return in 2023 in the new form of the LIV Golf League with $405 million up for grabs in prize purses and the chance for promotions and relegations.
Golf’s first-ever league, running from February through September, will also introduce a franchise team system with 12 teams to be led by one established Team Captain who will compete and have the ability to build their franchises to attract fan following and sponsors.
Players will compete over 14 events in simultaneous team and individual play with each season culminating in a Team World Championship match play grand finale.
The breakaway league announced in November it had a multi-year commitment to bring league events to Australia starting at The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide (April 21-23).
Phil Mickelson will be one of the stars on the greens in Arizona, Oklahoma and West Virginia
Dustin Johnson won $35.6 million in LIV Golf earnings this year after the team finale in October
LIV Golf will open its second season at El Camaleon in Mayakoba, Mexico at the end of February before jetting to Australia, Singapore and Spain.
Last year in its inaugural season LIV Golf staged eight tournaments of which five were in the United States, including two at former-US President Donald Trump’s properties.
None of the three events announced on Wednesday were on last season’s schedule.
None of the breakaway series tournaments will clash with golf’s four majors, international team events or heritage events.
The Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf series has lured players with the promise of guaranteed, big-money paydays and a reduced schedule, while the US-based PGA Tour has suspended members who opted to join the rival circuit.
Critics say LIV Golf, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, amounts to blatant ‘sportswashing’ by a nation trying to improve its reputation tarnished by a history of human rights abuses.
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