LIV Golf timelime: Upstart league's history in battle with PGA Tour

The history of LIV Golf has been a wild ride. It started with rumors of a Super League forming that would compete for players and buzz with the PGA Tour, then launched as an alternative tour with the moniker, “Golf But Louder.”

Big-name stars were poached from the PGA Tour. Not all at once, but over time, LIV began building its team rosters. Then, in June, 2023, the announcement of a framework between the PGA Tour and LIV shocked the golf world, only to see that not really take off.

Here’s a timeline of LIV Golf over the years.

A LIV Golf sign is observed prior to the second round of the LIV Golf Las Vegas tournament at Las Vegas Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

October 2021: Plans for LIV are laid out

Multiple sources confirmed a private meeting with golf media members took place to outline plans for a new Saudi Arabia-backed golf series with Greg Norman as the expected commissioner.

ESPN’s Bob Harig and had already reported that Norman, 66, was partnering with LIV Golf Enterprises, backed by the Public Investment Fund, which operates on behalf of the government of Saudi Arabia. Norman would be the chief operating officer of the enterprise, as well as commissioner of the new league.

March 2022: LIV schedule is announced

Norman sent a letter to players stating that the league, while not being supported by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and many of the game’s biggest stars, planned to move forward. And, Norman said, it would announce its schedule of tournaments the following day.

The global schedule was ambitious. Starting in June, the LIV Golf Invitational Series would feature eight events and consist of individual and team play. The combined prize money would reach up to $255 million. The first event would be played June 9-11 at Centurion Golf Club in London and the first seven events would each have a $20 million purse. An additional $5 million would be split among the top three teams each week.

May 10, 2022: PGA Tour denies players permission to play in London

The PGA Tour denied its members permission to play in LIV’s London event. The denials were sent to players who had sought permission.

Some had been expecting the PGA Tour to grant waivers to players for the LIV event, given a precedent that allows limited releases for overseas events. (All members are required to seek a conflicting event release to compete in non-Tour events.) However, it is thought that the PGA Tour opted not to grant the waivers because LIV Golf London was seen as part of a rival series.

“We have notified those who have applied that their request has been declined in accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations. As such, Tour members are not authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League’s London event under our Regulations,” said the letter signed by PGA Tour executive vice president Tyler Dennis. “As a membership organization, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the PGA Tour and its players.”

Upon learning of the PGA Tour’s decision, Greg Norman said, “Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is 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.”

May 31, 2022: London field announced with Dustin Johnson headlining

Among those in the field for the debut LIV event at London’s Centurion Golf Club was Dustin Johnson, a former U.S. Open and Masters champion, as well as a former world No. 1 player.

Others listed in the field included Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter and Talor Gooch. Kevin Na and Lee Westwood, long rumored to be on a roster, were also announced as part of the field.

Phil Mickelson was not among the list of players initially announced to be playing in the first LIV Golf event, but there were signs and whispers that Mickelson might join LIV.

June 6, 2022: Phil Mickelson officially joins LIV

The signing of Dustin Johnson was big, but hours after announcing plans to stream the inaugural LIV event because the tour did not have a TV deal, it was announced that Phil Mickelson would be playing, too. Mickelson had been on a self-imposed hiatus after off-the-record comments about Saudi Arabia were made public.

Mickelson released a statement on Twitter, starting with an apology to people he offended with his comments and praising his “humbling” time away.

“I realize I still have a long way to go but I’m embracing the work ahead. I’m ready to come back to play the game I love but after 32 years, this new path is a fresh start, one that is exciting for me at this stage of my career and is clearly transformative, not just for myself, but ideally for the game and my peers,” Mickelson wrote. “I also love the progressive format and I think it will be exciting for fans. Just as importantly, it will provide balance, allowing me to focus on a healthier approach to life and on and off the course. I am incredibly grateful for what this game and the PGA Tour has given me. I would like to think that I have given back as well but now I’m excited about this new opportunity. I’m thrilled to begin with LIV Golf and I appreciate everyone involved.”

June 9, 2022: PGA Tour commissioner suspends defectors

In a memo sent to members of the PGA Tour, commissioner Jay Monahan was true to his word toward players who opt to play in LIV.

You are no longer welcome on the PGA Tour.

“We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation,” Monahan wrote in the memo. “Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.

“This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.”

The memo was sent shortly after the first tee shots were hit in London in the first LIV event.

Among those suspended were Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Matt Jones. Also suspended were players who have resigned their membership, including Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.

June 11, 2022: Charl Schwartzel wins first LIV Golf event

Charl Schwartzel started the final day of LIV’s inaugural event at London’s Centurion Club with a comfortable lead. He finished it with nerves that were a bit more frayed, but with almost $5 million to help deal with any anxiety.

The South African made a double bogey on No. 12 and limped home with bogeys on Nos. 14 and 18, but still managed a one-stroke victory in LIV’s debut event.

June 21, 2022: Brooks Koepka signs with LIV Golf

After an outburst where he accused media members of putting a black cloud over the U.S. Open by talking so much about LIV, Brooks Koepka spurned the PGA Tour and is expected to make his debut on the new circuit at its second event at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.

Koepka joins the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, and Abraham Ancer as more big names continue to jump ship for a massive payday.

Aug. 2, 2022: 11 LIV golfers file lawsuit against PGA Tour

Talk of lawsuits involving the LIV Golf Invitational Series and the PGA Tour has been just that. Until now.

As first reported in the Wall Street Journal, 11 LIV golfers are suing to challenge their PGA Tour suspensions. Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are among the 11 suing the Tour.

Three other LIV golfers – Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford – are a part of the lawsuit because they are seeking a temporary restraining order so that they can play in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Playoffs.

The other golfers involved are Abraham Ancer, Jason Kokrak, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, Ian Poulter and Peter Uihlein.

Aug. 30, 2022: Open champion Cam Smith signs with LIV

LIV announced six golfers would be taking their talents to the new series: Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Cameron Tringale and Anirban Lahiri.

The new additions gave LIV six of the top 30 players on the Official World Golf Ranking as it prepared to host its fourth event at the International near Boston.

When asked about his reported interest in LIV Golf after his Open Championship victory, Cameron Smith said, “I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”

Reports then broke the week of the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind that he was taking his talents to LIV, but Smith didn’t confirm or deny the news.

Sept. 28, 2022: Monahan shoots down PGA Tour, LIV Golf coexisting

Phil Mickelson addressed the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, saying “the best solution is for us to come together.”

During Jay Monahan’s recent interview with ESPN, the PGA Tour commissioner addressed everything from the Presidents Cup to Tiger Woods’ leadership amid the Tour’s struggles against LIV. Most importantly, he flat-out said LIV Golf and the PGA Tour cannot work together or coexist.

“I think it’s impractical when you look at the fact that certain players have sued the PGA Tour, their employer has sued the PGA Tour,” Monahan said. “It’s not in the cards. It hasn’t been in the cards and it’s not in the cards. I think we’ve been pretty consistent on that front.”

Oct. 29 , 2022: R&A will not ban LIV golfers from 2023 Open

Royal & Ancient chief executive Martin Slumbers initially said they had no plans to ban LIV players saying: “Let me be very clear. That’s not on our agenda.”

That message remained the same.

“We’ll go public in January/February with what we are going to do with regard to LIV golfers. But if you want a guide, go back to what I said in July. We’re not banning anyone. We are not going to betray 150 years of history and have the Open not be open,” Slumbers said.

Oct. 30, 2022: Dustin Johnson leads first LIV championship

Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC came out on top of the LIV Golf Team Championship.

Louis Oosthuizen’s Stinger GC were out of the picture for the majority of the day, leaving the battle for the top three to the 4Aces, Cameron Smith’s Punch GC and Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC. The latter fell off later in the round, leaving a two-way race to the finish.

The 4Aces led by one stroke with one hole to play before Punch’s Marc Leishman tied the 4Aces at 6 under with a late birdie, just his second of the day. Patrick Reed then delivered a birdie on his final hole to reclaim the lead at 7 under and eventually earn the win after his teammate Johnson made par on the last.

Dec. 16, 2022: LIV’s COO Atul Khosla resigns

Atul Khosla, LIV Golf’s chief operating officer, stepped down from his post, according to The New York Times, leaving the Saudi-backed circuit without one of its most experienced sports executives.

Despite the ever-looming presence of Greg Norman as the league’s face and voice, Khosla was believed to be the man to lead the breakaway organization toward legitimacy in the sports world.

Before he served as LIV’s COO, Khosla was the chief corporate development and brand officer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I look forward to being a part of the LIV Golf Investments team to help bring this vision to life and transform the game into an international sport,” Khosla said in a release after his hiring.

Dec. 20, 2022: Augusta National to allow LIV players at Masters

Invitations for the 2023 Masters will be hitting the mail shortly for Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed.

The past champions who have departed for LIV Golf, will be welcomed to the field at the first major, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed.

“We will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament,” Ridley wrote. “Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it. Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April.”

Jan. 19, 2023: LIV, CW Network agree on multiyear TV deal

The CW Network and LIV agreed on a multiyear broadcast deal that will allow the CW to air all 14 events throughout next season as well as offer a streaming option through its app.

“This is a momentous day for LIV Golf as this partnership is about more than just media rights. The CW will provide accessibility for our fans and maximum exposure for our athletes and partners as their reach includes more than 120 million households across the United States,” Greg Norman said in a release. “We’re very proud to note how consequential it is that a league that has only existed for one year has secured a full broadcast deal in its debut full league season.”

Feb. 17, 2023: LIV’s antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour handed severe blow

With a second season of LIV Golf just days from the starting line, a federal judge has dealt a blow to the group that financially supports the upstart league, one that could radically change the fledgling circuit’s anti-trust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.

Although LIV Golf attorneys have been attempting to shed light on the PGA Tour’s organizational structure and financial dealings, the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund tried to avoid the same fate, claiming “sovereign immunity” during a November filing.

But a federal judge ruled that the PIF and its governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan must provide the same information, a move that’s expected to slow the aggressiveness of any suit, and might even halt it completely. It’s uncertain if Saudi officials will want to divulge such information.

May 4, 2023: DOJ investigating former President Trump’s ties to LIV

The United States Department of Justice is ramping up its investigation into how former President Donald Trump has handled classified documents since his time in office ended. But what does that have to do with golf?

According to a New York Times report, amid the larger investigation the DOJ has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for records regarding LIV Golf and President Trump’s ties to the upstart circuit financially backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

In LIV Golf’s inaugural season last year, Trump National Bedminster and Trump National Doral both hosted events. The pair of properties will do so again in 2023, as will his resort in Potomac Falls, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C.

May 17, 2023: Mickelson, other LIV golfers interviewed for investigation

Phil Mickelson is one of a handful of players who have been interviewed with regard to the United States Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation of the PGA Tour.

According to a New York Times report, Mickelson and fellow LIV Golf League players Bryson DeChambeau and Sergio Garcia have all been interviewed.

Last July news broke that the Department of Justice was investigating whether the Tour engaged in anticompetitive behavior against LIV Golf. The upstart circuit has long been criticized as another way for the Saudi government to sportswash its human rights record via its Public Investment Fund.

May 18, 2023: Judge rules against PGA Tour in latest filing

LIV Golf picked up a rare win in its antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.

Judge Beth Labson Freeman previously ruled in the U.S. Northern District of California court that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund – as well as its governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan were both subject to discovery and depositions in the United States, a major blow to LIV’s legal team.

LIV’s lawyers then appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in order to further delay the discovery process. Judge Freeman granted the PIF and Al-Rumayyan’s motion for a stay of discovery pending the appeal, a decision that could take 1-2 years.

June 6, 2023: PGA Tour, LIV Golf merge to form new global golf entity

The world of professional golf as we know it has now officially changed.

The PGA Tour announced groundbreaking news that it formed a new commercial entity with the goal of unifying golf with the help of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

From the PGA Tour’s release: “The parties have signed an agreement that combines PIF’s golf-related commercial businesses and rights (including LIV Golf) with the commercial businesses and rights of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour into a new, collectively owned, for-profit entity to ensure that all stakeholders benefit from a model that delivers maximum excitement and competition among the game’s best players.”

PIF will make an investment into the unnamed new entity “to facilitate its growth and success” and will initially be the exclusive investor alongside the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour. PIF will also have the exclusive right to further invest in the new entity, including a right of first refusal on any new capital that may be invested in the entity.

The PGA Tour will appoint a majority of the Board and hold a majority voting interest in the new entity. The Board of Directors of the new entity will include PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan as chairman and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan as chief executive officer.

Dec. 7, 2023: Jon Rahm is latest PGA Tour star to bolt for LIV

Rahm was one of those PGA Tour stars who spoke up the most about sticking with the PGA Tour. He once said he pledged fealty to the Tour and essentially said he’s got more money than he could ever spend. But Greg Norman and LIV eventually were successful in recruiting Rahm to the breakaway league, giving LIV another major champion.

On a conference call with reporters, Rahm spoke about his legacy and said his move was because he likes the LIV Golf product, the idea of playing in different countries and the innovation the league is pushing. He also mentioned his legacy and that while he knows there will be blowback, he’s confident he made the right decision.

“Every decision I feel like we make in life there will be somebody who agrees and likes it and somebody who doesn’t, right. I made this decision because I believe it’s the best for me and my family and everybody I’ve been able to talk to has been really supportive of me,” Rahm explained. “So I’m very comfortable with my decision. I’m no stranger to hearing some negative things on social media or in media. It’s part of what it is, we’re public figures but you just learn to deal with it right? This certainly won’t define who I am or change who I am.”

May 31, 2024: One year later, no deal

At first, we were told that the “merger” — later reframed as an “agreement” — would be finalized by Dec. 31 and the PIF would be writing a very large check (somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion) to boost PGA Tour Enterprises. But New Year’s Eve came and went without a deal, and now, one year later, we appear no closer than we were six months ago.

Jan. 15, 2025: LIV Golf announces Scott O’Neil as CEO, replacing Greg Norman

The LIV Golf League announced Scott O’Neil as its new Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday, replacing Greg Norman, who will remain involved with LIV Golf.

Previously, O’Neil served as CEO of Merlin Entertainments, responsible for overseeing the business operations and global growth across its 140-plus attractions in 23 countries. Before Merlin, O’Neil served as CEO for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a portfolio of professional sports, entertainment and investment properties, where he oversaw more than $2 billion of growth in enterprise value.

March 12, 2025: Fatigue is clearly setting in on golf’s stars on PGA Tour-LIV negotiations

Commissioner Jay Monahan was unsurprisingly evasive Tuesday when addressing several questions about how Tour negotiations with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV league were progressing on a potential agreement.

Monahan’s repeated emphasis that he had no intention of sharing details about the talks, including what the specific stumbling blocks might be, didn’t do much to inspire confidence of an impending resolution.

It’s been nearly two years since the Tour and LIV announced a “framework agreement” to merge the Tour, LIV and the DP World Tour, but 21 months have passed and there’s still no sign of a final agreement.

June 17, 2025: PGA Tour hires Brian Rolapp CEO

The PGA Tour announced Tuesday it hired Brian Rolapp to be its new Chief Executive Officer. Rolapp spent more than two decades with the National Football League, where he assisted in reshaping how fans experienced live sports. He served as the league’s Chief Media and Business Officer before joining the Tour.

He then stepped into the fray with the negotations but there was little to any movement.

July 27, 2025: LIV announces 2026 schedule

LIV Golf continues to expand its schedule, and next year, it’s going to South Africa for the first time.

The league announced Saturday it will be heading to Steyn City in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of a multi-year commitment to host an event in Africa. It will be the fifth continent to host a LIV Golf event in 2026, with confirmed events already in Australia and Europe on the schedule. The South Africa event will be held March 20-22.

Nov. 4, 2025: LIV makes move to 72 holes

All LIV Golf events will be 72 holes starting in 2026, officials announced early Tuesday afternoon.

For its first three seasons, the league played 54-hole tournaments, but now each event will take place over four days. LIV has tinkered with its format several times since its inception, but this is undoubtedly its biggest shake-up.

The move comes as the league continues to make its push to be included in the Official World Golf Ranking. As of now, players don’t earn OWGR points at LIV events; they can only do so at the four major championships and events on other circuits, such as the DP World Tour or the Asian Tour. Last year, LIV Golf withdrew its official bid for OWGR points, which was originally sent in June 2022, but resubmitted an application over the summer.

Jan. 12, 2026: PGA Tour offers Returning Player Program

Just three weeks after leaving LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka is officially headed back to the PGA Tour sooner than almost anyone expected, but it’s going to cost him.

On Monday, the PGA Tour announced the five-time major champion is welcome for the entire 2026 season and will debut at the Farmers Insurance Open, which begins January 29. It will be his first start in a regular PGA Tour event since the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play in March of 2022. The Tour also extended the same offer to three other LIV golfers.

The criteria for the Returning Member Program is carefully defined. The player must have been gone from the PGA Tour for more than two years and have won either a major championship or The Players during the 2022 to 2025 seasons. That means only four men qualify: Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith.

Koepka was the only one to accept.

Jan. 28, 2026: Patrick Reed leaving LIV Golf, announces he’ll return to PGA Tour

Another high-profile LIV Golf player announced he won’t return to the league in 2026.

Patrick Reed announced he was not going to re-sign with LIV, instead choosing return to the PGA Tour as a past champion member for the 2027 season. He will eligible to compete in Tour events later this year.

“After careful thought and consideration, my family and I have decided that I will no longer compete on the LIV Golf Tour,” Reed said in an Instagram post.

Reed is taking a different path back to the PGA tour.

The PGA Tour also put out a statement, saying, “Patrick Reed has informed the PGA Tour of his desire to return. A nine-time PGA Tour winner, he is seeking reinstatement of his PGA Tour membership for the 2027 season. As a result of resigning his membership in 2022 prior to violating any PGA Tour Regulations, Patrick is eligible to compete on the PGA Tour as a non-member beginning Aug. 25, 2026. He may also pursue improved PGA Tour status via the DP World Tour.

Feb. 3, 2026: LIV Golf to receive Official World Golf Ranking points

LIV Golf finally got what it was seeking: Official World Golf Ranking points. That started with the 2026 season, but its players still may not be happy.

That’s because points will only be awarded to the top 10 finishers in the 57-man field. Previously, of the other 24 men’s professional golf tours that are part of the OWGR, all players who make the cut earn Ranking Points.

The points awarded to LIV may not also be high enough to help its players qualify for majors unless they go on quite a run of form.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LIV Golf timeline from launch to failed PGA Tour merger

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LIV Golf timelime: Upstart league’s history in battle with PGA Tour