Despite Being Denounced as a ‘Money Grab’ Tour by Critics, Has LIV Golf Finally Managed to Make a Resolute Stand?

LIV Golf sure has made a lot of waves ever since it came into being. From poaching players on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour to making use of the team play format, among other elements in the sport, it has undoubtedly led to a lot of changes in the game of golf. However, one thing sorely stands out throughout the years of its existence, none other than the money that was involved in the Saudi-backed league.

The circuit, backed by the Public Investment Fund, had managed to rope in a lot of top professionals in the sport with the help of their lavish numbers. But, as the golfing world started to witness the amount of money being spent, which marked more than what was given on the PGA Tour or the European circuit, criticism naturally arose against the Middle Eastern Tour for the same, among other things. However, this has not restricted the league in any way, as they went ahead to stop many in their tracks with their recent actions!

LIV Golf is still going strong

Following its first season after the Saudi-backed league came into existence, reports from certain sources predicted its bankruptcy and subsequent fall owing to the amount of money being spent by the circuit. And the increase in its prize money from $255 million to $405 million for its second season, coupled with the amount needed to pay the athletes, including the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Cameron Smith, just added to the rising speculation of its oncoming plummet.

Be that as it may, LIV Golf, however, went ahead to astonish everyone and prove their existence amidst such rising rumors. Moreover, the recent signing of World No. 3 Jon Rahm, followed by the success of the LIV Golf Promotions event, has only served to prove its thriving status.

Jon Rahm’s ‘expensive’ move to the Saudi-backed side

The Spaniard decided to ditch the PGA Tour and jump ships to the PIF-funded league a while back. Moreover, the defection to the circuit was accompanied by many factors, including the move to make him the captain of a new team coupled with huge monetary benefits. Although the athlete has made the shift, citing various reasons, including that the alternate tour is bringing growth to the sport, one cannot possibly ignore the huge amount of money that the professional, residing in one of the top spots of the OWGR along with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, must have received for the same.

Even though the exact number for the deal has not been confirmed yet by the golfer or the league, it was initially rumored to be around $600 million. However, following his jump, the figures came to rest around $566.4 million, as per sources. And this has, no doubt, led to a reshaping of even the financial landscape of the sporting realm.

The rumored numbers would have indubitably propelled the Spanish professional to become one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Moreover, he would be able to cement his name among the likes of soccer giants such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who boast a net worth of around $500 million and $600 million, respectively. And such an offer to the world No. 3 is but one of the factors that prove that the Saudi-backed league is still going strong.

A successful LIV Golf Promotions event

The Middle Eastern circuit introduced many new aspects to make the upcoming season more exciting, including the transfer window and the LIV Golf promotions event. While the former saw a lot of reshuffling being made among the already existing teams and players from the ‘Open Zone’, the latter saw three golfers replacing the LIV players who got relegated via the ‘Drop Zone’.

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The promotional event saw the league award a prize purse of $1.5 million to the field of golfers taking part in it. Moreover, the top three players, Kalle Samooja, Jinichiro Kozuma, and Keiran Vincent, were awarded a cut of $200,000, $150,000, and $100,00, respectively, allowing them to be a part of the 2024 edition.

Well, if one were to look at its counterpart on the PGA Tour, the Q-School presented by Korn Ferry Tour, the purse offered by the latter would pale in comparison since the player occupying the top spot would only be awarded a cut of $50,000. Such a difference in figures, coupled with the insane amount boasted in the LIV Golf events, proves its ability to stand strong amidst such harsh criticism.

The numbers themselves show beyond doubt that the Saudi-backed league is, by no means, headed under. Even though the Middle Eastern circuit has its own cons along with the huge pros, such as the recent OWGR setback, it is not as if without any hope. Moreover, even the lack of points by the ranking body is expected to find some respite after the $3 billion merger that is set to see its deadline soon. Truly happy news going all around for LIV golfers, one might say!

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