The LIV Golf Series intended to scale from eight tournaments in its inaugural 2022 season to ten in 2023 and then to a full 14 in 2024. But due to the positive reception after just two events of its beta launch – even from critics, the breakaway tour has moved up the timeline one year and will host a full 14 event schedule next season, according to CBS Golf.
It will also change its name from a “LIV Golf Invitational Series” to the LIV Golf League. With 14 events and a new name, the four-man teams will reportedly become much more structured next year.
“Solidifying its 48 league members by 2023 should allow LIV Golf to experience a full season with 12 concrete teams that are open to trades and, potentially, golf’s version of free agency if any additional players are to sign on with the rival tour,” wrote Patrick MacDonald at CBSSports.com.
One of the more interesting rumors is the idea of LIV Golf teams being sold to “owners,” similar to other pro sports leagues, e.g. NFL, F1 Racing. So, for example a team could be purchased by a billionaire such as Tiger Woods, who like the owner of an NFL team would build a team through drafts, free agency and guaranteed contracts.
Another rumor has marquee players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau getting a piece of this envisioned team ownership.
No wonder why the PGA Tour is panicking.
The third leg of the 2022 season will be contested at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey, July 28-30.
