Under the shimmering lights at Riyadh Golf Club, LIV Golf commenced its 2025 season with the exhilarating opening round of its tournament, marking the first time the league has ever played under floodlights. This groundbreaking event drew players and golf enthusiasts alike to witness the fusion of sport and spectacle as Adrian Meronk surged to the top with an impressive 10-under 62. He established himself as the frontrunner, setting the tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament.
The LIV Golf league features 54 golfers who took to the course beginning at 6:15 p.m. local time, embarking on their rounds at night—a departure from the traditional day format. Following Meronk, Colombia's Sebastian Munoz showcased his prowess with a stellar 8-under 64, making the competition quite fierce. Notably, newcomers Tom McKibbin and veteran Lee Westwood captured the spotlight as well, closely trailing at 7-under.
Accompanying the excitement of the competition was the team event aspect, where Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII led significantly, accumulating 24-under, creating a seven-shot advantage over the Majesticks. This unique tournament structure not only emphasizes individual achievements but also fosters team camaraderie and competitiveness.
Players embraced the unusual conditions of playing at night, and many shared their experiences. Dustin Johnson remarked on the novelty, saying, "I like it, it's cool. But even though I've practiced the last three days at night, it's still hard to get used to." The challenge of adapting to the lights was echoed across the board, with players discussing how different aspects of the game, like wedge play, took more adjustment than anticipated.
Meronk, who excelled throughout the round, expressed his preparedness for the unique environment. He had taken prior rounds of night golf leading up to the event, which helped him adjust to the lighting nuances, shadows, and challenges of reading greens. "It makes a big difference, especially around the greens and on the greens," he shared, reinforcing the compelling nature of this format.
Lee Westwood noted the excitement this new format brings, pointing out the challenges posed by night golfing, saying, "It presents all sorts of interesting and different challenges, teeing off at 6:15 at night." Adjusting one’s schedule, especially for golfers coming from different time zones, can be pivotal, and Westwood, who trained for two weeks prior to the tournament, found his adjustments key to maintaining performance.
Other players echoed these sentiments. Munoz reflected positively on his first experience under the lights, stating, "I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot, the experience. It’s something different, something we’re not used to it, and it's nice." The slight shadows on the course posed minimal issues, but players who had practiced previously embraced the visual and competitive excitement inherent in night golf.
The LIV Golf setup offers significant financial rewards, and 2025 was no exception. The tournament boasts a staggering $20 million prize pool for individual play, along with $3 million earmarked for team competitions. Each golfer’s performance directly influences financial outcomes, making the stakes incredibly high.
Individual payouts are set with the winner receiving $4 million, followed by runners-up with substantial sums down to the 54th place, which still retains $50,000. This lucrative structure is coupled with the team event, where winning teams will take home $3 million, illustrating LIV Golf’s commitment to innovate not just with format but also with rewards for participation and performance.
While the community responds positively to the night format and the innovative backdrop offered by Riyadh, it caters not only to the players but also creates new opportunities for viewership. The adjustment to evening events enables LIV Golf to capitalize on timing favorable for viewers across multiple time zones, particularly appealing to U.S. audiences thanks to broadcasting arrangements with Fox Sports and free-to-air TV partnerships with ITV in the UK.
Overall, LIV Golf’s debut season opener under the lights at Riyadh has set precedence for future events. While the response from players has been mostly affirmative, spectators, and analysts alike are curious about the potential for night golf to evolve as a staple of the sport.
The atmosphere and engagement have been lauded, and it's believed the league's forward-thinking approach will resonate well with younger audiences, similar to how the NFL has succeeded with evening fixtures. Exciting developments and heightened visuals may have the power to allure even disenchanted golf fans back to the greens.