LIV Golf has announced a significant expansion for their 2023 schedule, involving 48 players and 12 team franchises playing through an extended 14-event schedule.
While the complete details and confirmations have yet to be announced, LIV Golf is looking to ramp up its 2023 schedule by adding an abundance of talent and event locations to its calendar. Atul Kholsa, the President of the Saudi-back golf league, competing with the PGA Tour, reported that a schedule would be finalized by the new year.
“We’re in the middle of discussions (about new signings). We are going to get it done this year. We want the teams locked in by the new year. It will play itself out over the next few months.”
Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Mito Pereira, and Thomas Pieters have all been rumoured as potential LIV Golf signings. If valid, these players would join a 48-player league with 12 teams that compete in an extended 14-event schedule. A massive $405 million prize purse would be up for grabs in 2023, a significant increase from the $225 prize purse presented during this year’s eight-event series.
Additional venues are being discussed, but the expected locations for 2023 have involved North and Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Most recently, two specific venues – Trump International Doonbeg in Ireland and Valderrama in Spain – are potential venues.
Since revealing plans for its expansion, LIV Golf has already been hard at work, as one venue has been confirmed in the shape of Adelaide’s Grand Golf Club, which is located in the capital city of South Australia.
It will be Australia’s debut in the LIV Golf League, and since signing the country’s biggest star, Cameron Smith, the intention of going Down Under became apparent.
LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman was thankful for Smith’s arrival and knew his presence assisted in their efforts to secure an Australian-based location.
“I couldn’t have done it, quite honestly, without having someone like Cam Smith willing to commit to Team Aussie. For him coming on board and seeing how he’s 120% embraced LIV and the LIV family concept has helped accelerate it all,” Normal said.
Following the Australian PGA and Golf Australia’s dismissal of the Saudi-backed league, the South Australian government has since stepped up to back Norman.
Smith won’t be the only Aussie attraction playing in Adelaide, as we’re expected to see Marc Leishman and Matt Jones at the Grange. And to add historical value, Norman – a former professional – notably won his first professional title at the Adelaide course in 1976.
Outside of the Aussie-born stars in attendance, a complete slate of LIV signings will be competing and available on the best betting apps. Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen, and Anirban Lahiri will be atop the sportsbooks betting odds when going Down Under, as well as any new signings LIV Golf announce between now and the Adelaide event tipped for April 2023.
Going Down Under with Cameron Smith
Smith is the highest-ranked player on LIV’s roster, and he’s since discussed how the league’s Australian link was a big push for him to join the series.
“For me, the PGA Tour is a great place. It’s a great tour that does excellent things,” Smith said. “But as you look back, Adam [Scoot] has been one of the best golfers in the world for 20 years, and I just think it’s really weird for them [PGA Tour] not to have an event [in Australia] just because of him.
“Then you have Jason Day, Marc Leishman; there’s a bunch of guys they could have done so much for. The Aussie crowd gets around it so much, but I just don’t think it’s that profitable for them, and that’s kind of the reason behind it all.”