When Did LIV Golf Start? Key Facts & Timeline

By Sarah Miller · March 16, 2041

LIV Golf officially began in June 2021 with its first event held in London, England. The league launched as a rival to the PGA Tour, featuring a team-based, individual stroke play format with a $25 million prize pool for its inaugural season.

What Is LIV Golf and How Did It Start?

LIV Golf is a professional golf league funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), designed to disrupt traditional golf structures with a new format, faster pace of play, and significant financial incentives for players. The concept was developed by Greg Norman, former world No. 1 golfer and LIV Golf CEO, who partnered with PIF to launch the series.

Key Motivations Behind the Launch

To create a player-centric golf experience with reduced tournament schedules
To introduce team competition alongside individual play
To offer guaranteed appearance fees and large prize money
To challenge the dominance of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour

LIV Golf’s First Events and Expansion Timeline

The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series kicked off on June 9–11, 2021, at Centurion Club in St Albans, near London. This initial series included eight events in 2021 and expanded into a full-fledged league starting in 2022.

Evolution from Invitational to Full League

2021: Hosted as "LIV Golf Invitational Series" with 48 players invited per event
2022: Rebranded as LIV Golf League with 48-player fields and 12 teams established
2023: Expanded to include international venues across USA, UK, Australia, and Asia
2024: Introduced women’s golf initiatives and youth development programs

Format and Structure of LIV Golf Events

LIV Golf tournaments are 54-hole (three-round) events without a cut, ensuring all players compete over the weekend. Each event features both individual and team scoring.

Tournament Highlights

No weekend cut — all 48 players finish the event
Shotgun start with all groups teeing off simultaneously
Team component: four-player teams with three scores counting per round
Individual prize purse: $20 million per event (as of 2024)
Music, fan engagement, and fast play emphasized

Season	Number of Events	Number of Teams	Total Prize Money (per event)	Individual Winner Share
2021 (Invitational)	8	N/A	$25 million (season total)	$4 million (total season)
2022	8	12	$20 million	$4 million
2023	14	12	$20 million	$4 million
2024	15	12	$20 million	$4 million

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a steady expansion in the number of events from 8 in 2021 to 15 in 2024, while maintaining consistent prize money per event. Despite criticism over funding sources, LIV Golf has maintained high payouts and stable team structure since 2022.

Controversies and Impact on Professional Golf

LIV Golf’s emergence triggered major debates within the sport due to its Saudi backing, leading to bans on participating players from PGA and DP World Tours. Critics raised concerns about "sportswashing," while supporters praised innovation and player freedom.

Major Points of Contention

PGA Tour suspensions of players joining LIV Golf
Legal battles over player eligibility and tour rights
Accusations of using sports to improve Saudi Arabia’s global image
Ongoing merger talks between PGA Tour and PIF-backed entities as of 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About LIV Golf

When did LIV Golf officially start?

LIV Golf officially started with its first event on June 9, 2021, at Centurion Club in England. The full league format launched in 2022 with permanent teams and a structured season.

Who funds LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. The PIF owns 100% of LIV Golf Investments, which operates the league.

How does LIV Golf differ from the PGA Tour?

LIV Golf differs in format (54 holes, no cut), team integration, smaller fields, shotgun starts, and entertainment-focused presentation. It also offers guaranteed contracts and larger individual payouts compared to PGA Tour earnings models.

Can LIV Golf players compete in major championships?

Yes, LIV Golf players remain eligible for major championships like The Masters, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and PGA Championship, as these events are independently run and not governed by the PGA or DP World Tours.

Has LIV Golf affected the PGA Tour?

Yes, LIV Golf has significantly impacted the PGA Tour by luring top players with financial incentives, prompting rule changes, increased purses, and ongoing merger discussions aimed at unifying professional golf as of 2025.