Who Left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf?

AvatarByMatthew Woods Golf Blog

In recent months, the professional golf world has been rocked by a series of high-profile defections from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series. These defections have raised questions about the future of the PGA Tour and the integrity of professional golf.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the LIV Golf Invitational Series and the players who have left the PGA Tour to join it. We will discuss the reasons for these defections, the impact they have had on the PGA Tour, and the implications for the future of professional golf.

We will also provide an overview of the LIV Golf Invitational Series, including its format, prize money, and schedule. We will also discuss the controversies surrounding the series, including its ties to the Saudi government and its alleged human rights abuses.

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the LIV Golf Invitational Series and the players who have left the PGA Tour to join it. You will also have a better understanding of the implications of these defections for the future of professional golf.

Player Date Reason
Dustin Johnson June 2022 Money
Phil Mickelson June 2022 Money
Brooks Koepka June 2022 Money
Bryson DeChambeau June 2022 Money

Background on the PGA and Liv Golf

History of the PGA

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) was founded in 1916 by 12 golf professionals. The organization’s mission is to “serve its members, promote the game of golf, and honor its heritage.” The PGA is responsible for organizing and running the PGA Tour, the premier golf tour in the world.

History of Liv Golf

LIV Golf Investments is a new golf league backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The league was founded in 2022 and is scheduled to hold its first tournament in London in June 2022. LIV Golf has been criticized for its ties to the Saudi government, which has been accused of human rights abuses.

Differences between the PGA and Liv Golf

There are a number of differences between the PGA and Liv Golf. These include:

  • Tournaments: The PGA Tour is a traditional golf tour with a schedule of events that has been in place for many years. LIV Golf is a new league that is planning to hold a limited number of tournaments each year.
  • Prize money: The PGA Tour offers significantly higher prize money than LIV Golf. The winner of the 2022 Masters Tournament, for example, earned $2.7 million. The winner of the first LIV Golf Invitational event, on the other hand, earned $4 million.
  • Format: The PGA Tour tournaments are played over four rounds, while LIV Golf tournaments are played over three rounds. LIV Golf tournaments also feature a shotgun start, which means that all players tee off at the same time.
  • Field: The PGA Tour is open to all professional golfers, while LIV Golf has a limited field of players. The first LIV Golf Invitational event featured only 48 players.

Players Who Have Left the PGA for Liv Golf

List of players who have left the PGA for Liv Golf

The following is a list of players who have left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf:

  • Dustin Johnson
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Patrick Reed
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Ian Poulter
  • Lee Westwood
  • Kevin Na
  • Graeme McDowell
  • Louis Oosthuizen
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Martin Kaymer
  • Branden Grace
  • Talor Gooch
  • Matthew Wolff
  • Adrian Otaegui
  • Bernd Wiesberger
  • Peter Uihlein
  • James Piot

Reasons why players have left the PGA for Liv Golf

There are a number of reasons why players have left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. These include:

  • Money: LIV Golf is offering significantly higher prize money than the PGA Tour. The winner of the first LIV Golf Invitational event, for example, earned $4 million. The winner of the 2022 Masters Tournament, on the other hand, earned $2.7 million.
  • Schedule: LIV Golf is offering a more flexible schedule than the PGA Tour. LIV Golf tournaments are played over three rounds, while PGA Tour tournaments are played over four rounds. LIV Golf tournaments also feature a shotgun start, which means that all players tee off at the same time.
  • Opportunity: LIV Golf is offering players a new opportunity to compete in a new golf league. The PGA Tour has been the dominant golf tour for many years, but LIV Golf is hoping to challenge that dominance.

The PGA and Liv Golf are two very different golf tours. The PGA Tour is a traditional golf tour with a long history, while LIV Golf is a new league that is backed by significant financial backing. The decision of whether to join LIV Golf or remain on the PGA Tour is a personal one for each player.

Who Left the PGA for LIV Golf?

The following is a list of golfers who have left the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series:

  • Dustin Johnson
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Patrick Reed
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Kevin Na
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Ian Poulter
  • Graeme McDowell
  • Lee Westwood
  • Louis Oosthuizen
  • Martin Kaymer
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Branden Grace
  • Talor Gooch
  • Adrian Otaegui
  • Justin Harding
  • Peter Uihlein
  • Sam Horsfield
  • Scott Vincent
  • Hudson Swafford
  • Matthew Wolff
  • Carlos Ortiz
  • Patrick Cantlay
  • Xander Schauffele
  • Rickie Fowler
  • Bubba Watson
  • Jordan Spieth
  • Justin Thomas
  • Collin Morikawa

Impact of Player Departures on the PGA

The departures of these high-profile players have had a significant impact on the PGA Tour.

Financial impact

The loss of these players has cost the PGA Tour millions of dollars in revenue. In 2023, the LIV Golf Invitational Series is expected to pay its players a total of $255 million. This is more than the total prize money for all four major championships combined. The PGA Tour has responded by increasing its own purses, but it is unlikely to be able to match the financial rewards offered by LIV Golf.

Competitive impact

The departure of these players has also weakened the competitive field on the PGA Tour. The LIV Golf Invitational Series is seen as a more attractive option for many players, as it offers a more lucrative financial reward and a less demanding schedule. This has led to some of the best players in the world leaving the PGA Tour, which has made it more difficult for other players to compete.

Reputational impact

The departures of these players have also had a negative impact on the reputation of the PGA Tour. Some critics have accused the PGA Tour of being too greedy and of not paying its players enough. Others have suggested that the PGA Tour is not doing enough to protect its players from the threat of LIV Golf. The PGA Tour has denied these accusations and has insisted that it is doing everything it can to protect its players and its brand.

Future of the PGA and LIV Golf

The future of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is uncertain. It is possible that the two tours will eventually merge, or that they will continue to compete for players and fans. It is also possible that LIV Golf will fail and that the PGA Tour will emerge as the dominant force in professional golf.

Possible outcomes for the PGA and Liv Golf

There are a number of possible outcomes for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

  • The two tours merge. This is the most likely outcome, as it would allow both tours to avoid competing for players and fans. The merger would also allow the two tours to combine their resources and create a more unified and competitive golf landscape.
  • The PGA Tour continues to dominate. The PGA Tour has a long history and a strong brand, and it is likely to remain the dominant force in professional golf. However, the PGA Tour will need to make some changes in order to compete with LIV Golf, such as increasing its purses and making its schedule more flexible.
  • LIV Golf becomes the dominant tour. LIV Golf has the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and it is willing to spend big money to attract top players. If LIV Golf is able to sign enough top players, it could eventually become the dominant tour in professional golf.
  • Both tours fail. This is the least likely outcome, but it is possible that both tours could eventually fail due to financial problems or lack of interest from fans. If this happens, it would be a major setback for professional golf.

Implications for the future of professional golf

The battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has major implications for the future of professional golf. The outcome of this battle will determine which tour is the dominant force in professional golf, and it will also have a significant impact on the way that golf is played and marketed.

The PGA Tour has a long history and a strong brand, but it is facing a number of challenges from LIV Golf. LIV Golf has the financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and it is willing to spend big money to attract top players. LIV Golf is also offering a more flexible schedule and a more lucrative financial reward, which is appealing to many players.

The battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf is likely to continue for some time. It is unclear who will ultimately emerge

Q: Who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf?

A: The following golfers have left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf:

  • Dustin Johnson
  • Phil Mickelson
  • Bryson DeChambeau
  • Patrick Reed
  • Brooks Koepka
  • Kevin Na
  • Sergio Garcia
  • Ian Poulter
  • Lee Westwood
  • Graeme McDowell
  • Martin Kaymer
  • Charl Schwartzel
  • Louis Oosthuizen
  • Branden Grace
  • Talor Gooch
  • Matthew Wolff
  • Adrian Otaegui
  • Ian James Poulter

Q: Why did these golfers leave the PGA Tour?

A: There are a number of reasons why these golfers left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Some of the reasons include:

  • Money: LIV Golf is offering golfers significantly more money than the PGA Tour. The average LIV Golf player is expected to earn $25 million over five years, while the average PGA Tour player earns around $1 million per year.
  • Schedule: LIV Golf is offering a more flexible schedule than the PGA Tour. LIV Golf tournaments are played only five times per year, while the PGA Tour has more than 40 events per year. This allows golfers to spend more time with their families and friends.
  • Freedom: LIV Golf is offering golfers more freedom than the PGA Tour. LIV Golf golfers are not required to wear logos on their clothing or hats, and they are not required to attend press conferences or other promotional events. This allows golfers to express themselves more freely and to focus on their golf.

Q: What are the implications of these golfers leaving the PGA Tour?

A: The implications of these golfers leaving the PGA Tour are significant. The PGA Tour is losing some of its biggest stars, and this could lead to a decline in viewership and revenue. Additionally, the PGA Tour’s reputation could be damaged, as some people may view it as a less prestigious tour.

However, it is also important to note that LIV Golf is still a new tour, and it is not yet clear how successful it will be. It is possible that LIV Golf will not be able to attract enough fans or sponsors to survive, and if this happens, the golfers who left the PGA Tour could find themselves in a difficult situation.

Q: What is the future of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf?

A: It is difficult to say what the future holds for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. However, it is likely that there will be a period of intense competition between the two tours. This competition could lead to some positive changes for both tours, as they will be forced to innovate and improve in order to attract fans and sponsors. Ultimately, only time will tell which tour will be the most successful.

the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf Invitational Series are two very different golf tours with different goals and objectives. The PGA Tour is a traditional tour that has been around for over a century and is considered to be the most prestigious golf tour in the world. The LIV Golf Invitational Series is a new tour that is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is offering golfers huge sums of money to play.

The decision of which tour to play on is a personal one for each golfer. Some golfers, such as Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, have chosen to join the LIV Golf Invitational Series because of the money. Other golfers, such as Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, have chosen to stay with the PGA Tour because they believe it is the best tour in the world.

Only time will tell which tour will be more successful in the long run. However, the decision of which tour to play on is likely to have a major impact on the future of professional golf.

Here are some key takeaways from the article:

  • The PGA Tour is a traditional tour that has been around for over a century and is considered to be the most prestigious golf tour in the world.
  • The LIV Golf Invitational Series is a new tour that is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is offering golfers huge sums of money to play.
  • The decision of which tour to play on is a personal one for each golfer.
  • Only time will tell which tour will be more successful in the long run.

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
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