The Saudi-funded LIV League has been on a path of recurring success. The breakaway league has seen everything, from being bashed by the golfers to being celebrated by the same golfers. Many golfers have called the league many things, but that has not affected the growth plans that the Saudi League brought with itself. Despite being only two years old, LIV Golf has had some amazing feats in its pocket, with the most recent one being the landmark merger with its withstanding rival, the PGA Tour.

Let us look at all the memorable and significant incidents that have led to LIV Golf’s iconic existence.

Tracing the remarkable timeline of LIV Golf

Reports of the Saudi League being organised surfaces

LIV Golf has been through a heck of a ride even before its inaugural season in 2022. When reports of the proposed Saudi League to be organised in 2022 surfaced in 2021, everyone seemed to be against the league. One of the biggest golfers, Phil Mickelson, who became the oldest golfer to win the PGA Championship in 2021, had his doubts regarding this league, which came to light later.

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Phil Mickelson announces himself as the first winner of PIP

At the beginning of 2021, the PGA Tour announced a PIP Fund, a sum of $40 million that was to be distributed amongst the top 10 golfers who had made a major impact on the game. The winners were to be chosen on the basis of a pre-decided matrix that has five components. On December 29, 2021, before the results of that year’s Player Impact Programme were out, Phil Mickelson celebrated a bit too early on Twitter and announced himself as the winner of the programme.

Lefty’s world turns upside down

On February 2, 2022, Mickelson was competing in the Saudi International, where he chose to call the PGA Tour obnoxiously greedy. He commented on other opportunities, hinting at LIV Golf, which has opened up for him and other golfers.

The tables turned on February 17, when Alan Shipnuck, who was writing Mickelson’s unauthorised biography, released the conversations he had with the golfer. The six-time major champion was dissing the Saudis and the Saudi League. He called Saudis “scary motherf***ers,” but said that the kind of money they are offering gives golfers leverage over the PGA Tour.

On February 22, 2022, amidst all the furore, Mickelson posted a statement in which he said that he was taking a little break from the sport. He sincerely apologised to the Saudis and the league officials.

Tiger Woods hilariously takes a dig at Mickelson

Then on March 2, 2022, the winners of the PIP were released, and guess who won? It was not Lefty. Tiger Woods topped the chart and was awarded a whopping $8 million. The 82-time PGA winner went ahead and commented, “Whoops,” under Lefty’s post from December.

LIV Golf announces its schedule for its first season

On March 16, 2022, LIV Golf announced its 2022 schedule, which consisted of eight events. The first event was scheduled in London, and it was an invitational series worth $255 million that was supposed to take place on June 9 at the Centurion Club in England.

News about LIV’s delay comes to light

On May 2, 2022, LIV CEO Greg Norman, told ESPN during his interview that the Saudi League was ready to be launched in February, but then Mickelson’s negative comments came to light and the launch of the league was postponed.

Players start to ask for releases for LIV Golf’s Invitational series

On May 4 and 5, 2022, players such as Lee Westwood, Richard Bland, and Sergio Garcia asked for releases to compete in the LIV’s Invitational series.

The PGA Tour bans LIV golfers

On June 9, 2022, the PGA Tour announced that the players participating in the first LIV Golf tournament were no longer eligible to compete in tour events or the Presidents Cup.

The PGA Tour forms an alliance with the European PGA Tour

In June 2022, the PGA Tour increased its stake to 40% from 15%. As a result of the strategic alliance, the DP World Tour would increase its prize money, and top European tour players would get their PGA cards.

PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf in the Courtroom

On July 11, 2022, it was reported that the Justice Department of the United States was investigating the PGA Tour to determine if they had engaged in anti-competitive behaviour with LIV Golf. In August 2022, LIV Golf and 11 golfers sued the PGA Tour with an antitrust lawsuit, which was then countersued by the PGA Tour, claiming that LIV Golf was encouraging PGA players to break their existing contracts.

The six-time major champion tries to recruit players for LIV Golf

Later in 2022, during August, the PGA Tour’s commissioner claimed that Mickelson was trying to recruit golfers for the rival league. The complaint filed by Monahan said that Lefty was suspended on March 22 from the tour and could apply for reinstatement in May. He was later suspended from the PGA Tour until March 31, 2024.

Can LIV players compete in the Ryder Cup?

The eligibility of European and American golfers competing in the Ryder Cup is still uncertain. The DP World Tour has laid out that golfers need to be members of the European Tour in order to be eligible, and the PGA of America has allowed the players, even if they are not members of the PGA Tour, to be eligible for Team USA.

LIV Golf and OWGR battle

Ever since its inception, LIV golfers have been battling for their due recognition in the OWGR. The LIV golfers have been plummeting in the rankings, as per the Official World Golf Ranking. There is still no certainty that LIV players will be recognised by the OWGR.

LIV golfers are allowed to compete in major tournaments

Initially, players of the Saudi League were not allowed to compete in the major tournaments of men’s golf. On February 23, 2023, it was announced that LIV golfers can compete in the major tournaments provided they meet the eligibility criteria as and when released before every major tournament.

LIV players shine at the Masters 2023

Just when everyone was sceptical of including LIV golfers in the major tournament, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson shined bright at Augusta this year. On April 9, 2023, during the final round of the first major tournament of the season, Koepka and Mickelson finished tied at number 2 against each other. The 52-year-old became the oldest runner-up in the history of the tournament.

Koepka becomes the first LIV golfer to win a major

Just when everyone thought that things could not get better for LIV Golf, they did. Brooks Koepka emerged victorious in the second major tournament of the season, the PGA Championship at Oak Hill. He displayed a stellar performance and shocked everyone with his skills.

The PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and DP World Tour merge to form a new entity

LIV Golf, the PGA Tour, and the PGA European Tour made an announcement on June 6, 2023, stating their intention to combine their commercial rights into a new profit-making enterprise. The funding for this venture will be provided by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

What are your thoughts about the roller coaster journey that LIV Golf has been on? Tell us your take in the comments below.

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