In what promises to be one of the most scrutinized events in the league’s short history, LIV Golf returns to the banks of the Potomac River just days after seismic news that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will end its funding of the circuit after the 2026 season.

All eyes will be on CEO Scott O’Neill, star players, team captains, and the overall vibe at Trump National as the league navigates its biggest existential challenge yet — under the microscope of a golf media landscape that has often been openly hostile toward the upstart tour.

After two years away, LIV Golf heads back to Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C. for its second visit to the iconic venue. The event marks a glittering — yet uncertain — showdown featuring U.S. superstars like Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson going head-to-head with international rivals including Jon Rahm, Joaquín Niemann, Cameron Smith, and more.

Expect high drama at one of the league’s most scenic U.S. venues, complete with riverfront views, elevation changes, and what could be an electric crowd seeking to show support amid the funding headlines.

Pro Golf Weekly previews LIV Golf’s stop in Virginia at Trump National for this week’s MAADEN LIV Golf Virginia Primer.

The LIV Golf Skinny

Tournament: MAADEN LIV Golf Virginia
Dates: May 7-10, 2026 (Thu-Sun)
Where: Potomac Falls, VA (outskirts of Washington, D.C.)
Venue: Trump National Golf Club D.C.
Course: Championship Course (Tom Fazio design)
Par/Yardage: Par 72 / 7,679 yards
Format: 72-hole individual and team stroke play (no cut)
Field: 57 players (13 teams of 4 + 5 wild cards)
Total Purse: $30M
Individual Purse: $20M ($4M to winner)
Team Purse: $10M ($3M to winning team)
Defending Individual Champion: Harold Varner III
Defending Team Champion: Torque GC (Joaquín Niemann captain)
OWGR Pts: 23
TV Broadcast: FOX Sports Network (FS1, FOX)
Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET); all times local

How to Watch

• THU (Rd 1): 1-6 p.m. (FS1)
• FRI (Rd 2): 12-2 p.m. (FS1), 2-5 p.m. (FOX)
• SAT (Rd 3): 1-6 p.m. (FOX Business)
• SUN (Rd 4): 12-5 p.m. (FOX)

Follow Online: Website | X/Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube

Going there: Gates open daily with Fan Village, hospitality, food, and entertainment. Saturday night features a post-round concert by country star Bailey Zimmerman. Sunday ends with the podium ceremony on the 18th green.

Weather Forecast

• THU (Rd 1): Hi 65 Lo 46, Rainy, Rain: 78%, Winds: W 10-20 mph
• FRI (Rd 2): Hi 64 Lo 47, Mostly Sunny, Rain: 13%, Winds: W-NW 10-15 mph
• SAT (Rd 3): Hi 70 Lo 50, Partly Cloudy, Rain: 15%, Winds: W-SW 5-10 mph
• SUN (Rd 4): Hi 74 Lo 55, Mostly Cloudy, Rain: 24%, Winds: W-SW 5-10 mph

LIV Golf Format

The LIV Golf League 2026 features 13 teams comprised of four players, along with five wild card players. In total, 57 players will compete this week, with players and teams competing simultaneously for both points and prize money.

The tournaments consists of 72-hole stroke play, no cut and shotgun start, ensuring a faster and more exciting pace of play for fans.

Captains: Each team has a captain while members of the four-player teams, including the captain, participate in the four-day tournament.

Individual Winner: Like the PGA Tour, the player with the lowest 72-hole stroke play total is the tournament winner. The event’s champion receives $4m in prize money along with 200 LIV rankings points (from 40) and about 23 OWGR points. Jon Rahm enters Trump National holding about a 300-point lead of Bryson DeChambeau, with 779.00 points.

Team Competition: All four scores count in each round for every team, an adjustment that began in the 2025 season. As with the individual competition, the team with the lowest total score wins the event’s team title. An adjustment for 2026: all 13 teams will earn prize money each week based on their finishing position (1st-$3m, 13th-$200k) rather than only the top 3 teams. In addition, in 2026, the league introduced a $2.3m prize to be allocated to the players on the team podiums (top 3) each week. For example, the winning team earns $3m which goes in as team revenue for building and managing the team (salaries, marketing, etc). Additionally, the winning team splits another $1m ($250k each or however the captain sees fit) among the four players. (For instance, last week Jon Rahm won the LIV Golf Hong Kong event and pocketed $4m. His Legion team came in second place and earned $1.5m as team revenue. Additionally, they were rewarded another $800k to share among the four players. So, Rahm himself earned $4.2m for the week and his team pocketed another $1.5m.)

LIV Golf Virginia Storylines

• The Funding Bombshell: This is the first LIV Golf event since reports (and subsequent confirmation) that the PIF will cease funding after the 2026 season, following billions invested since 2021. The league has announced plans for a new independent board, pursuit of fresh investors, and a strategic pivot. Questions about long-term viability, player contracts, potential PGA Tour reunification scenarios, and financial fallout will dominate coverage.
• Spotlight on Leadership and Stars: All eyes on CEO Scott O’Neil and high-profile captains/players (DeChambeau, Rahm, Johnson, Mickelson, Niemann, Smith) for their reactions, commitment, and morale. How the stars carry themselves on the course and in interviews will be parsed relentlessly.
• Media Vibe and Narrative: Expect a hostile traditional golf media presence eager to probe for signs of tension, player discontent, or declining energy. Conversely, LIV loyalists and fans may rally to create a defiant, supportive atmosphere at this player-friendly venue.
• Return to Trump National: After a record-breaking 2023 debut (largest U.S. crowd in league history at the time), LIV Golf returns to the Potomac Riverfront gem. The Championship Course blends strategic play with breathtaking scenery and could serve as a rallying point.
• Mid-Season Momentum Meets Uncertainty: As the seventh stop on the 2026 schedule, this U.S. event comes at a pivotal point for both on-course standings and off-course futures.
• Rebranded OKGC Debuts: Following the team’s rebranding from its previous Smash GC name, with first-year captain Talor Gooch leading the efforts to establish his home state of Oklahoma as the team’s home market – the first time a LIV Golf franchise is directly aligned with a U.S. market
• Festival Atmosphere: Beyond golf, enjoy Fan Village activities, family-friendly zones, and the Bailey Zimmerman concert — turning it into a full entertainment weekend that may feel more important than ever for league optics.
• Niemann Loves Virgina: Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann has raised trophies in each of the previous two LIV Golf visits to Virginia, winning the individual title at 2025 LIV Golf Virginia held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club and Torque winning the team title in 2023 at Trump National.

• Course Challenge: At 7,679 yards, the layout rewards precision off the tee and creative shot-making. Key holes include the reachable par-4 8th, demanding par-3s, and the risk-reward par-5 18th (site of Varner’s 2023 heroics).

LIV Golf Virginia Field

The beauty of LIV Golf is — unlike the PGA Tour where this week the world No.1 won’t even be in the field for its “Signature event” at Quail Hollow — you know each and every star will be teeing it up at Trump National DC. For fans shelling out big money for tickets, this is a huge plus mark for the upstart league.

The field is headlined by two of the top-4 betting favorites in next week’s PGA Championship: Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who have combined to win each of the the last four LIV tournaments, with Rahm (Hong Kong and Mexico City) bookending DeChambeau’s back-to-back wins in Singapore and South Africa.

Other LIV golfers entering in good form include contenders like Thomas Detry (3 top-5s in last 4 starts), David Puig (3 top-10s in last 4), Josele Ballester (3 straight top-12s), Branden Grace (back-to-back top-5s), Dean Burmester (4 top-10s in last 5), Matthew Wolff (3 top-10s in last 4), Tyrrell Hatton (2 top-10s last 3), Joaquin Niemann (3 straight top-20s, incl top 5), and wild card Scott Vincent (three straight T17s or better, incl top 5)

Top-10 Betting Favorites

1. Jon Rahm 2-1
2. Bryson DeChambeau 8-1
3. Tyrrell Hatton 9-1
4. David Puig 12-1
4. Thomas Detry 12-1
6. Joaquin Niemann 14-1
7. Branden Grace 20-1
7. Dean Burmester 20-1
7. Josele Ballester 20-1
10. Abraham Ancer 28-1

Full Field and Odds

LIV Golf Virginia Teams

Below are the 13 teams (with captains italicized) who will compete at Trump National D.C.

• ACES GC – Dustin Johnson, Thomas Detry, Anthony Kim, Thomas Pieters
• CLEEKS GC – Martin Kaymer, Adrian Meronk, Richard Bland, Victor Perez
• CRUSHERS GC – Bryson DeChambeau, Paul Casey, Charles Howell III, Anirban Lahiri
• FIREBALLS GC – Sergio Garcia, Josele Ballester, Luis Masaveu, David Puig
• HY FLYERS GC – *Phil Mickelson, Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale, Michael La Sasso
• KOREAN GC – Byeong Hun An, Minkyu Kim, Danny Lee, Younghan Song
• LEGION XIII GC – Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Surratt, Tom McKibbin
• MAJESTICKS GC – Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Laurie Canter, Sam Horsfield
• OKGC – Talor Gooch, Harold Varner III, Jason Kokrak, Graeme McDowell
• RANGEGOATS GC – Bubba Watson, Matthew Wolff, Peter Uihlein, Ben Campbell
• RIPPER GC – Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Elvis Smylie, Lucas Herbert
• SOUTHERN GUARDS GC – Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Dean Burmester
• TORQUE GC – Joaquin Niemann, Abraham Ancer, Sebastian Munoz, Carlos Ortiz
• WILD CARDS – Yosuke Asaji, Bjorn Hellgren, Richard T. Lee, Miguel Tabuena

* Phil Mickelson has been sidelined for most of the 2026 season due to a serious family health matter.

Teams: Top-5 Betting Favorites

1. Legion XIII (Rahm) +250
2. 4Aces (DJ) +400
3. Ripper (Cam Smith) +500
3. Crushers (DeChambeau) +500
5. Torque (Niemann) +600
5. Fireballs (Sergio) +600
5. Southern Guards (Oosthuizen) +600

LIV Golf Virginia Course

Trump National Golf Club Washington D.C. is hosting a LIV Golf tournament for the second time, having been the venue for 2023 LIV Golf DC.

The private golf club is set across more than 800 acres along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, with two 18-hole courses designed by famed architects Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills.

Upon its debut in 2016, the Championship course was ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top three new golf courses.

Besides hosting the LIV Golf tournament in 2023 (won by Harold Varner III), the club also hosted the Senior PGA Championship in 2017 won by Bernhard Langer.

The routing for this week’s LIV Golf Virginia is different than in 2023, with the new No. 1 hole previously the No. 2 hole three years ago, with all other holes also shifting, including the 18th hole (previously the 1st hole).

The stretch of holes from the par-5 7th to the par-3 10th are along the Potomac, and nearly half of the green complexes are in close proximity to the river’s edge.

The shortest par 4 is the drivable 310-yard 8th (formerly the 9th), which allowed nearly as many eagles (3) and birdies (64) as pars (69).

Fast Facts

Architect: Tom Fazio/Arthur Hills, Tommy Fazio (2014)
Superintendent: Brad Enie, GCSAA
Par: 36-36-72
Yards: 7,679
Par 3s: 4 (3, 9, 14, 16)
Par 5s: 4 (2, 6, 12, 17)
Easiest Hole: 8th (Par 4, 310 yds)
Hardest Hole: 4th (Par 4, 508 yds)
Sand Bunkers: 64
Holes Water in Play: 12
Water sources: Natural lakes and ponds on course
Course Tree Types: Maples, Oaks, Elms, Sycamores, Ash
Turfgrass: Greens: Bentgrass .105”, Collars: Bentgrass .225”, Approaches: Bentgrass .325”, Tees: Bentgrass .355”, Fairways: Bentgrass .400”, Rough: Turf Type Tall Fescue/Bluegrass mix
Source: GCSAA Fact Sheet

LIV Golf Virginia Payouts: Points & Money

The winner of LIV Golf Virginia will receive a $4,000,000 payday along with 200 first-place points and 23 OWGR points.

Note: a one-hole playoff will be conducted if there is a tie for first place after 72 holes. Hole 18 will be repeated until a winner is determined.

Individual
Pos-(Points)-Money
1. (200) $4,000,000
2. (113) $2,225,000
3. (75) $1,500,000
4. (50) $1,000,000
5. (40) $800,000
6. (35) $700,000
7. (30) $600,000
8. (26) $525,000
9. (23) $450,000
10. (21) $415,000
11. (19) $380,000
12. (18) $360,000
13. (17) $340,000
14. (16) $320,000
15. (15) $300,000
16. (14) $285,000
17. (13.5) $270,000
18. (13) $260,000
19. (12.5) $250,000
20. (12) $240,000
21. (11.5) $230,000
22. (11) $220,000
23. (10.5) $210,000
24. (10) $200,000
25. (9.8) $195,000
26. (9.6) $190,000
27. (9.4) $185,000
28. (9.2) $180,000
29. (9) $175,000
30. (8.8) $170,000
31. (8.6) $165,000
32. (8.4) $160,000
33. (8.2) $155,000
34. (8) $150,000
35. (7.6) $147,500
36. (7.4) $145,000
37. (7.2) $142,500
38. (7) $140,000
39. (6.8) $137,500
40. (6.6) $135,000
41. (6.4) $132,500
42. (6.2) $130,000
43. (6) $129,000
44. (5.8) $128,000
45. (5.5) $127,000
46. (5) $126,000
47. (4) $50,000
48. (3.7) $50,000
49. (3.4) $50,000
50. (3.1) $50,000
51. (2.8) $50,000
52. (2.5) $50,000
53. (2.2) $50,000
54. (1.9) $50,000
55. (1.6) $50,000
56. (1.3) $50,000
57. (1) $50,000

Team
1. (30) $3,000,000
2. (15) $1,500,000
3. (9) $900,000
4. (7) $700,000
5. (6.5) $650,000
6. (6) $600,000
7. (5.5) $550,000
8. (5) $500,000
9. (4.5) $450,000
10. (4) $400,000
11. (3) $300,000
12. (2.5) $250,000
13. (2) $200,000

Individual Split Via Team
1. $1,000,000
2. $800,000
3. $500,000