Norman faced concerns about the kingdom’s regime and Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi murdered, the golfer has been questioned on the issue. Most prominently, the US has been home to critics of LIV funders, with small protests taking place in addition to several events. Norman said LIV has a long-standing commitment to growing the game of golf through a true world tour. How many people believe him?
How does it work?
different.
First, all LIV events are limited to 48 players. If you’re not a signed player, you’re not playing.
Unlike the traditional 72-hole individual stroke play that will forever be the cornerstone of golf, LIV’s events start on Fridays only and feature three rounds over 54 holes. Essentially, golfers get paid more and play less.
Instead of the slow burn of golf tournaments, when groups tee off from the first or 10th tee and times vary throughout the day, LIV events have a shotgun start. This means that all golfers start at the exact same time on different holes throughout the course.
Sihwan Kim was awarded more than $500,000 for finishing last in this year’s three LIV events.Credit: Associated Press
What’s really weird is that even the worst golfer in LIV can get a check and not miss a knockout (i.e. being sent home without pay after two rounds because you didn’t play well). Hello, Kim Si Hwan. The American finished second-to-last in all three LIV events this year and pocketed nearly $540,000 in personal prize money alone, as each Norman protégé gets paid for his or her performance, good or bad.
In the end, Norman’s roster was split into 12 teams of four players each wielding odd names like Ripper (Australian), Cleeks, Torque, Crusher and Fireballs. They are all using total points to compete for team prize money at each event.
Who is Norman’s biggest star?
None Bigger than Australia’s Cameron Smith who won the british open last year.Norman got his autograph days after his death big win for st andrews, a deal reportedly worth $140 million. World No. 6 Smith remains the highest-ranked player in LIV.
But beyond that, Norman has a wealth of big-name, big-time winners in the U.S. Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau, as well as European veterans Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. That’s more than many thought Norman would be able to sign.
Brooks Koepka spoke to the media on Wednesday.Credit: getty
Unlike their previous existence as self-employed individuals, LIV players are legally obliged to play in all 14 of the league’s global events.
Many haven’t been to Australia before, or haven’t been in a long time, and in Watson’s case, he can’t wait to come back because his favorite animal is the wombat.
Money, money…
…must be fun, in a rich man’s world.
But this is no joke. The individual winner of LIV Golf Adelaide will take home just under $6 million – double what the men’s and women’s singles champions will earn after a two-week battle at the Australian Open. That’s mouthwatering, and that’s before factoring in the possible boost from the team segment, which will split $7.45 million. A total of almost $37 million will be split among 48 golfers in Adelaide this weekend.
Adelaide will be LIV’s largest event. Really?
Followed by AFL party, LIV will become an even bigger event in the city.The South Australian government is paying for it too, with millions of dollars in incentives for LIV Come to Grange Golf Club in Adelaide.
But they paid off. The initial allotment of 20,000 tickets sold out on each of the three days, prompting LIV to add some for sale and open the Pro-Am event to fans on Thursday (the previous event was closed to spectators).
It’s sure to be a welcome change from other LIV events, which have seen modest attendance and small audiences on the US network of The CW, which signed on as a broadcast partner in 2023. LIV also attracted a small audience on YouTube in its first season last year.
But this week? You can watch all the action from the course at The Shark Shack, and more.
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What do I think?
Seven Network quietly snatched up the Australian rights to LIV Golf’s 2023 season, but the first three overseas events covered on its streaming platform received little fanfare.
But the broadcaster will put the Adelaide event on its main channel at 12pm (AEST) on Friday, with all events wrapping up by 5pm.
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