Canada
This article was added by the user . TheWorldNews is not responsible for the content of the platform.

LIV Golf announces 2023 schedule with 14 events in seven countries

The season begins with a Feb. 24-26 event in Mexico's Riviera Maya

Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC hugs his wife, Paulina Gretzky, after winning the team championship stroke-play round of the LIV Golf Invitational - Miami at Trump National Doral Miami on October 30, 2022 in Doral, Florida.
Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC hugs his wife, Paulina Gretzky, after winning the team championship stroke-play round of the LIV Golf Invitational - Miami at Trump National Doral Miami on October 30, 2022 in Doral, Florida. Photo by Eric Espada /Getty Images

LIV Golf’s 2023 schedule will have 14 events set to be played in seven countries with $405 million in prize purses, the breakaway tour announced on Monday, doubling the number of events from its inaugural season last year.

The season begins with a Feb. 24-26 event in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and ends with the team championship in the first week of November in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

From our newsroom to your inbox at noon, the latest headlines, stories, opinion and photos from the Toronto Sun.

By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails or any newsletter. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

Other events will take place in the United States, Australia, Singapore, Spain and the United Kingdom. The 2022 season had events held in London, Portland, Bedminster, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok and Jeddah.

“Last year helped lay the foundation for the future of golf at extraordinary courses that have hosted some of the world’s top competitions,” LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman said in a statement.

“LIV Golf’s schedule features fantastic venues and championship sites for our official league launch that will carry the sport into a new era.”

Bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf caused a stir in the sport last year when it lured players away from the existing Tours with the promise of guaranteed, big-money paydays and a reduced schedule.

Top players such as Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Patrick Reed joined LIV Golf, with the U.S.-based PGA Tour suspending members who opted to join the rival circuit.

Critics say LIV Golf amounts to blatant “sportswashing” by a nation trying to improve its reputation tarnished by a history of human rights abuses.

Earlier this month, LIV Golf secured the U.S. television rights deal it was seeking with the CW Network which will broadcast all 14 events of the Saudi-backed series.