The launch of the LIV golf tour in 2022 has brought another series of high-profile events to the golfing world. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, this tour officially started at England’s Centurion Club in June, but the decision to make Thailand the only stop on the circuit has raised a few eyebrows.
Details of the Thailand Event
The Stonehill Golf Club in Bangkok will be the setting for this tournament, which goes by the name of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok and where $25 million in prize funds will be up for grabs. 48 top-class golfers will be taking part and the dates for it are the 7th of October through to the 9th.
Playing here will be a selection of the world’s best players, with 12 of them being major winners and four being the world’s number one at some point. Phil Mickelson, Martin Kaymer, and Dustin Johnson will be among those most hotly tipped to win. Johnson won the LIV event in Boston, while Cameron Smith won the top prize in Chicago.
Former world number one Greg Norman is the CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf, and he called Asia a “massive market” that has “incredible passion” for the sport of golf. He went on to describe Stonehill as a one-of-a-kind venue and to point out that their investment in the continent has already started to create opportunities. In a separate interview, Norman mentioned the possibility of adding a LIV women’s tour at some point in the future.
The Basics of Playing Golf in Thailand
Golf has become an increasingly popular past-time in this country, and that has attracted tourists who want to play a few rounds here in a spectacular setting while enjoying the rest of the country’s attractions. There are an estimated 250 golf courses in Thailand, and there are many reasons why people come here to play.
Many of the courses in Thailand have been designed by the biggest names in the industry, with the likes of Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, and Nick Faldo among those who’ve put their names to Thai courses. Most of the courses are conveniently located close to the most popular tourist spots such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya.
Despite the quality of these courses, it’s also one of the cheapest countries for playing on a top-notch course, with some sources stating that hiring a local caddy cost just 20 baht, which is about 50 pence. Typically, courses near the capital are more expensive, and they also tend to get crowded, particularly at weekends.
As for the best time of year to play, Thailand is hot most of the year and it’s suitable for golf in any month. Even the rainy season from July to October doesn’t tend to stop golfers, as the rain often comes down in short downpours, giving the option of waiting for it to pass by before re-starting the round where you were forced to stop it. Playing in the evening is a good option for golfers who aren’t used to the strong midday heat as there’s usually good enough daylight to keep playing until around 6.30 pm.
The growing importance of golf here can be seen in the presence of websites offering online sports betting (พนันกีฬาออนไลน์). This is where fans can find the best sites to place bets, discover the different kinds of wagers, and read about introductory bonuses. These sites tend to cover the most popular sports like ฟุตบอล (football) and Muay Thai boxing, while golf is rapidly gaining popularity.
What Other Professional and Amateur Golf Events Take Place in Thailand?
In terms of watching other golf events here, the Pullman Pattaya Invitational Series takes place in December and is aimed at amateur golfers. The Centara World Masters Golf Championship is played at Hua Hin and is described as Asia’s best week for amateur golfers from around the world.
As for the Asian professional golf tour, it has events like the Royal’s Cup 2022 at the Grand Prix Golf Club in late February. The International Series Thailand at the Black Mountain Golf Club comes shortly after this. Other events here include the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup and the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge, both played at the Siam Country Club.
The arrival of the LIV Tour to Thailand helps to confirm this Asian country’s place as a growing golf destination. While this event is designed for the best golfers on the planet, Thailand also offers plenty of options for the rest of us to come here and enjoy a few rounds in a great setting.