10 minute read
LIV And Let Live
GREG NORMAN’S BRAINCHILD SERIES IS FINALLY SET FOR ITS BIG CURTAIN-RAISER AT CENTURION CLUB OUTSIDE LONDON
and let live
by Matt Smith
GREG NORMAN’S DREAM is finally about to become a reality as the LIV Golf Invitational Series tees off at Centurion Club, St Albans, just outside London this month.
A long time in the making, the former Super Golf League has been backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) and will come to fruition on June 9 in England for the first of eight lucrative three-round events with no cuts, shotgun starts, guaranteed payouts for all and a whopping $255 million purse.
With each event offering at least $25 million in prize money — dwarfing the amounts on offer in even the flagship events on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour — the LIV Golf Series has certainly turned a lot of heads.
Since Norman, the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, whose chief shareholder is the Saudi PIF, announced the launch of the series in March, the rumours and accusations have been flying. But one thing is for sure — it is happening, and in some style.
Back in March, a statement announcing the eight-event LIV Golf Series described the league as “100 per cent additive” to the pro game rather than a rival to the PGA and DP World Tours, with the “building blocks of a next generation golf experience”.
“I want golf to grow, players to have additional opportunities, and fans to have more fun,” said Norman.
“My mission is to help the game reach its full potential and we know the role of golf as an entertainment product is critical to overall participation in the sport. In many ways, we are a start-up. We have a long-term vision and aim to grow. I believe we have a very bright and exciting future.”
Inspiration
Greg Norman was working as a commentator at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits when he had his epiphany. Team golf is such a fan favourite — why not make a series?
And so he began his journey, with team golf at the “heart of the new structure” with $5 million of the $25 million purse on offer at each of the first seven LIV Golf Invitational Series events going to top three placed teams.
There will also be a Team Championship grand finale, played in a match-play format for a whopping $50 million, at the conclusion of the series in late October in Miami.
With $20 million on offer for individual performances at each event, plus a $30 million bonus pool for the top three players after the seven ‘regular season’ events, the team spirit will add a fresh element to the sport.
THE VENUE C enturion Club in Hertfordshire is where it will all begin on June 9. The parkland course is nestled in a tall pine forest, with middle nine holes offering more open play after a wooded beginning.
The course only opened in 2013 but has firmly stamped its place as a favourite in the UK, having previously held the DP World Tour GolfSixes and Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series events.
At over 7,000 yards from the back tees, the par-70 course near St Albans reflects the area’s links with its Roman history (hence ‘Centurion’), and each hole has been given a Latin name. The pine trees return on the final few holes, creating a dramatic setting for the finale.
With six par 5s, six par 4s and six par 3s measuring a total of 7,064 yards, there is a real mix of challenges. Raised tees offer clear views over the fairways on most of the holes, but the 80-odd bunkers and four major water features are sure to cause plenty of problems for the 48 hopefuls over three challenging days.
The Centurion clubhouse has been designed to reflect a mix of modern style and the Hertfordshire area’s Roman heritage, while offering views over the lake at the 18th hole.
HOLE-BY-HOLE
HOLE NAME YDS PAR 1 Prima Focie 492 4 2 Silvestris 178 3 3 Circa 432 4 4 Agenda 511 4 5 Per Se 169 3 6 Nota Bene 488 4 7 Pro Forma 406 4 8 Ad Hoc 416 4 9 Phobia 492 4 OUT 3,584 34
HOLE NAME YDS PAR 10 Ad Lib 384 4 11 Bona Fide 203 3 12 Hydro 422 4 13 Alma Mater 538 5 14 Caveat 208 3 15 Maximus 525 5 16 Hyper 486 4 17 Mea Culpa 138 3 18 Ad Infinitum 559 5 IN 3,463 36
The Fan Village at Centurion Club will add to the entertainment at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event
FAN VILLAGE T he Centurion Club is going all out to make a big opening statement, with all tickets — starting from just over AED 300 — including access to all the activations over a fun-filled weekend.
Gates will open at 11am all three days of tournament play in advance of the 2pm shotgun start, so guests can enjoy and take part in all of the interactive activities onsite. Grounds passes will allow fans to walk the course, view the tournament from select viewing platforms and grant entry to the Fan Village, with Covent Garden-style street performers and a food and drink festival atmosphere inspired by the best of Borough Market. A specially designed Kids Zone will also engage youth with children’s entertainers, face painting, soft play equipment for climbing, crazy golf putting challenges, and educational activations based on STEM lessons.
Also in the Fan Village, LIV Golf’s Performance Centre will feature professional coaches who will offer tips as guests test their skills on simulators and putting area. Meanwhile, gamers can deploy in the Metaverse Tent, where e-sports and virtual reality exhibits will take fans inside the game through friendly competition.
As part of the shotgun start, fans will enjoy an air show featuring The Blades aerobatic team, while London black cabs will transport the field of 48 players to their respective starting holes.
The event will also incude ‘Apres Golf’ entertainment from local artists and DJs and free concerts each day. “LIV Golf is about more than just hosting a new golf tournament. It’s about creating an event experience,” said Norman. “We want players and fans to feed off a unique energy rarely encountered through this game. From intense competition to entertainment, there will be something for everyone at Centurion.”
WE WANT PLAYERS AND FANS TO FEED OFF A UNIQUE ENERGY RARELY ENCOUNTERED. THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT CENTURION.”
–GREG NORMAN
HOW IT WORKS T he 48 players will be split into 12 teams of four, with big-name stars taking on captain roles — much like in the Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series — and those skippers choosing from a pool of available players.
The teams will tee off simultaneously around the course with a shotgun start, meaning all marquee players will be on course at the same time, so no need to wait for your favourite to tee off, with all the action crammed into a few hours rather than the sometimes arduous 10+ hours of golf we see on the regular tours.
Also keeping up the pace is the fact that, with no cut, each tournament will take place over three days rather than four, the 54-hole events running from Thursday to Saturday.
As mentioned, there is no cut, so you are guaranteed to see your favourite players all three days, even if they are having a stinker. That team factor also means players will continue to push even if they are out of the individual running as their team could still earn a title — and a tidy pay day.
There will be an eye-watering $255 million in prize money alone, and with Norman having been pledged a further $2 billion by the Saudi PIF, those purses are only going to get bigger, in the hope of luring the biggest names along the way — the carrot of a hefty signing-on fee also helps sweeten the deal.
Norman has said he’s keen to work with the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, despite both tours threatening players with bans if they compete in the LIV events.
Norman described the move as “anti-golf” and said several top players have told him they will play without a release.
“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament,” said Norman.
“This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is
SCHEDULE
June 9-11 Centurion Club (London) July 1-3 Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (Portland) July 29-31 Trump National Golf Club Bedminster (New Jersey) Sept 2-4 The International (Boston) Sept 16-18 Rich Harvest Farms (Chicago) Oct 7-9 Stonehill (Bangkok) Oct 14-16 Royal Greens Golf Club (Jeddah) Oct 28-30 Team Championship (Miami)
purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.’
“Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market.
“The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”
What they said
–Greg Norman on the possible playing field in London
“Obviously we’re going to have difference of opinions, how he sees the tour, and we’ll go from there. He has his opinion on where he sees the game of golf going. You know, I have my viewpoint how I see the game of golf, and I’ve supported the tour and my foundation has run events on the tour for a number of years.”
–Tiger Woods on Phil Mickelson
DID YOU KNOW
The ‘LIV’ part of the series’ name was inspired by the Roman numeral for 54 — the number of holes each player will play per event rather than the traditional 72. It also refers to the lowest score you could shoot were you to birdie every hole on a par-72 course.
The LIV Golf Invitational Series is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, meaning ranking points will be available during each competition The Asian Tour will be boosted by $300 million over the next 10 years for its participation.
$4 million
What each individual tournament winner stands to earn — almost double that of each major champion. The last man in the fi eld will still walk away with $120,000
Five of the eight competitions will be played in the United States, with England, Thailand and Saudi Arabia making up the calendar
$50 million
The Team Championship has an additional $50 million earmarked, with $16 million going to the winning team and at least $1 million to the bottom team. The LIV Golf Series is a standard strokeplay tournament but with a shotgun start. No advantage for early-morning starters here. Same conditions for all.
CHANGE IN COMPETITION IS GOOD. IT SHAKES THINGS UP AND KEEPS EVERYBODY ON THEIR TOES AND TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT.”
–LEE WESTWOOD
WHO IS PLAYING? W hile the fi nal fi eld is yet to be confi rmed, those expected to appear include Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Richard Bland, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer.
Some of the world’s best amateurs are also expected to make an appearance, including Keita Nakajima, Pierceson Coody, Ludvig Aberg, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra Coto, Sam Bennett and Alex Fitzpatrick.
Bryson DeChambeau was also rumoured to take part, but after surgery on his hand, it seems unlikely he will be competing any time soon.
