Saudi-Backed LIV Golf to stage 1st Event in India

LIV Golf will stage its first event in India in early 2025 amid its continued expansion.

Saudi Arabia’s vast wealth backs the international golf tour.

Former two-time Major winner Greg Norman now serves as commissioner and chief executive of LIV Golf. He has reportedly reached the outline of a deal to host an event at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon in February 2025.

The agreement is yet to be formally signed but it would see the venue host a LIV International Series event featuring 148 international golfers alongside up to 16 LIV League golfers.

They would compete within the International Series platform on the Asian Tour, with the objective of launching a longer-term partnership in India.

In 2022, LIV announced The International Series – a 10-year commitment and $300 million investment that created an annual series of elevated events sanctioned by the Asian Tour.

The launch of LIV Golf was a controversial announcement and raised questions over alleged sportswashing by Saudi, something that has been claimed in recent years in relation to other sports.

Lured by Saudi’s billions, players like Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau have defected to the new international tour.

To counter LIV Golf’s threat, the US PGA Tour agreed a $3 billion investment from a consortium led by John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group.

For over a year, the PGA Tour and Saudi’s Public Investment Fund have been in talks about closer cooperation to align the sport’s global calendar.

To date, LIV Golf events have been held in nine countries on four continents.

There have also been several International Series events elsewhere, including in 2024 in countries such as England, Macau, Morocco and Qatar.

Mr Norman’s aspiration to move into India highlights the country’s fast-growing middle classes and an attempt to emulate the international interest generated by the IPL.

Sky News reported that London-based strategic advisory firm CTD Advisors had advised on the new partnership in India and an announcement could be made within weeks.

A LIV Golf spokesperson said: “We are exploring new markets as The International Series continues to grow with the global impact of LIV Golf, both at the League level and with The International Series.

“The Series has an exciting schedule of events remaining to determine the 2024 champion, and we look forward to announcing the 2025 schedule in due course.”