The LIV Golf League is launching its highly anticipated fourth season this week, featuring several changes aiming to revitalize the competition and engage both players and fans. The season kicks off on Thursday at the Riyadh Golf Club, where the players will tee off under floodlights, marking the first event among 14 planned for this year.
LIV Golf has made headlines for introducing new rules and partnerships. One surprising update requires all players to wear pants during tournaments, as confirmed by LIV's new on-course analyst, Pat Perez, on the podcast 'Fairway to Heaven.' He announced, "The players are wearing pants all year... I got it confirmed the other day." This shift draws attention to the league's attempts at maintaining its unique identity and branding.
This season also marks the inaugural television broadcast deal for LIV Golf, as Fox Sports will air events across various platforms, including FS1 and FS2. For the first time ever, LIV Golf will have several rounds presented on the main Fox channel during weekends of U.S.-based events, raising the stakes for viewership. The league continues streaming on the LIV Golf+ app with new subscription fees, $60 annually or $6.99 per event.
With increased visibility through network television, LIV Golf is poised to give more to its top players beyond financial incentives. Last week, the U.S. Open announced it would create a direct exemption category for players based on their individual points list, illustrating growing recognition of LIV players' skills. This year’s arrangement allows one player exemption and predicts two additional spots for the following year, reflecting progress toward integration with traditional golf tournaments.
The team format for this season received key adjustments as well. All players' scores will now count toward their team's overall score every round, unlike previous years where only three of four scores counted initially. Such changes could intensify competition on the course, and players will need to work more cohesively than ever.
This offseason was quieter for LIV Golf compared to previous years, with no major signings making the news. Nonetheless, the league recruited several younger players, including Tom McKibbin from Northern Ireland and Yubin Jang from South Korea, as the organization seeks fresh talent amid the established names like Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.
New venues will also host tournaments, beginning with Riyadh and followed by contests scheduled for Mexico City, South Korea, Indianapolis, and Michigan. These new locations will diversify the challenges faced by golfers and provide varied experiences for fans and players alike.
LIV Golf now has new leadership under Scott O’Neil, who replaced Greg Norman as CEO. O'Neil aims to cultivate relationships within the broader golfing community and hinted at potential negotiations with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for future collaboration. While Norman will remain involved with the league, his specific role hasn't been defined, leaving many stakeholders curious about the future direction of LIV Golf.
Notably, LIV Golf tournaments will now be playing alongside some traditional PGA events. While the league had previously focused on organizing events separate from PGA's calendar, this season’s scheduling places several LIV events concurrently with key PGA Tour dates. The Adelaide tournament, for example, is set for the same week as the Genesis Invitational, illustrating LIV Golf's intent to make its presence known through direct competition.
Sergio Garcia is among the LIV players who are eyeing the upcoming Ryder Cup, as his successful financial settlement allows him to focus on his performance and pursue selection for the European team. Garcia shared with Al Arabiya, "I love the Ryder Cup – everyone knows it’s my favourite event of the year"—highlighting the dual aspirations for players participating in both LIV Golf events and international competitions.
The 2025 LIV Golf season is shaping up to be intriguing, not just for golfers but for fans worldwide, especially with new rules, new broadcasters, and heightened competition on the horizon. Golf enthusiasts will have ample opportunities to tune in and witness how these changes will affect the athletes and the sport itself.