LIV GOLF | INDIANAPOLIS 2026 | ROUND 4 HIGHLIGHTS

 

ASIA TOUR SEVERS LIV GOLF TIES, SIGNS DEAL WITH PGA TOUR, DP WORLD TOUR

New partnership to run through 2029 at least, DP World Tour to return to co-sanctioning events in the region

Taichi Kho won the International Series event in Morocco in June, but there are now doubts about the circuit’s future. Photo: Asian Tour

The Asian Tour has cut ties with LIV Golf and signed a partnership agreement with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in another shake-up of the game globally.

In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the three organisations said the deal would run “through until at least 2029”, and hailed the start of a “new chapter for global golf”.

The partnership would be “effectively immediately”, the statement said, adding it would establish pathways for the leading players on the Asian Tour, and would see the DP World Tour return to co-sanctioning events in the region.

More to follow...

- Josh Ball, SouthChina Morning Post

LIV GOLF FOCUSED ON LONG TERM DUNDING SOLITION AMID OF POTENTIAL BANKRUPTCY PLAN

Anthony Kim, Dustin Johnson, Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry of 4Aces GC during day four of LIV Golf Virginia at Trump National Golf Club on May 10, 2026.

Getty Images via AFP

TORONTO – LIV Golf said on May 19 that it remains focused on securing a transaction that positions the organisation for the long-term, in response to a report that said the rebel circuit has begun laying the groundwork for a potential US bankruptcy filing as a last resort if it fails to raise new funds.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which has spent more than US$5 billion on LIV Golf since it launched in 2022, said in April that investing in the league no longer fit with its investment strategy.

The PIF’s decision to cut LIV Golf’s funding at the close of the 2026 season has now left the breakaway circuit scrambling for new backers and raises questions about the future of its big-name players on lucrative contracts.

A Bloomberg News report earlier on May 19 said that LIV Golf is weighing options, including seeking new investors, but it is also bracing for the league’s possible collapse after the season ends in August.

When asked about the report, a LIV Golf spokesperson declined to confirm it, saying only that the league remains focused on building a sustainable future and is exploring multiple paths.

“Leadership is focused on identifying the right long-term strategic partners who believe in our mission to grow the game of golf worldwide,” the spokesperson told Reuters.

“These conversations are just getting under way, and as they progress, the company expects to gain further clarity around the structure and timing of a potential transaction.”

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, speaking to reporters two weeks ago in his first press conference since the PIF announced that it was pulling its funding, said he had heard from plenty of potential investors.

“It was a split between private equity, family office and then your traditional like high net worth – you probably know who they are, the guys who invest in sports and sports teams. So that’s been really positive,” he said.

“It’s still early. We haven’t gotten to market yet. We haven’t finalized our business plan. We’re still picking and prodding. We have a good sense at this point... we know where we’re going, and we’re just going to tighten the screws.”

He also said earlier this week he is seeking as much as US$250 million in investment capital beyond this year, according to an Axios report.

According to the report, LIV Golf is letting it be known to prospective investors that an infusion of US$250 million will make the league profitable within two years.

LIV has previously said it posted a 100 per cent increase in revenue year-on-year this season and was convinced that the team golf model would be highly attractive to investors.

Through big-money contracts and lucrative purses, LIV managed to lure a number of golf’s biggest names from the PGA Tour, including Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed.

LIV Golf launched in 2022 with the backing of the PIF and critics have decried it as a vehicle for the country to attempt to improve its reputation in the face of criticism of its human rights record, which the Saudi government denies. 

- REUTERS

JON RAHM REACHES AGREEMENT WITH DP WORLD TOUR, PAYS OUTSTANDING FINES

José Méndez/EPA

Jon Rahman and the DP World Tour have reached an agreement that will allow the Spaniard to compete on the Europe circuit this season.

Rahm turned down an original offer by the European tour to return earlier this year, telling reporters in March the circuit was “extorting players” who wanted to return from LIV Golf.

“The DP World Tour and Jon Rahm have come to an agreement on conditional releases to play in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf during the remainder of its 2026 season. This involves payment of all outstanding fines accrued from 2024 to date, along with participation in agreed DP World Tour tournaments (outside the majors) in the remainder of the 2026 season,” a statement released by the DP World Tour on Tuesday read.

The deal is similar to one eight other LIV players agreed to in February, including Tyrrell Hatton. In exchange for “conditional releases” to play LIV events in 2026, players must pay all outstanding fines for past violations of the conflicting event rules and participate in “stipulated” DP World Tour tournaments.

“I was never worried about that. There was some things I believed in that I wanted them to agree with me, and I knew it was a matter of time. I also understand they have their bylaws and their way to go about things and they have to follow certainly procedures, and things are never as easy or as fast as you would think they would be, or at least I would have liked, but I was never worried,” Rahm said Tuesday at the LIV Golf event in Virginia.

“My only concern right now, when it comes to those events in October, is the due date (with his wife’s pregnancy) that we have. That’s the only issue I have that would make me not be at the Spanish Open. Besides that, I think they can count on my participation.”

The releases are not precedent-setting and the next deadline for players to apply or reapply for membership before the 2027 season will be in November.

Rahm will be eligible to earn Race to Dubai points starting at next week’s PGA Championship and he will also be eligible to play for Europe at next year’s Ryder Cup if he follows the guidelines of his conditional release and remains in membership through this season and 2027.

- Rex Hoggard

LIV GOLF SEEKS 'LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PARTNERS' AS SAUDI ARABIA'S PIF CONFIRMS EXIT

 

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 5, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Bryson DeChambeau in action during the second round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reuters via Imagn Images

LIV Golf plans to continue without the financial backing of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, touting "100% year over year" financial growth in 2026.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) formally announced it would end financial support of LIV Golf at the end of the 2026 season.

"PIF has made the decision to fund LIV Golf only for the remainder of the 2026 season," a PIF statement read Thursday. "The substantial investment required by LIV Golf over a longer term is no longer consistent with the current phase of PIF's investment strategy. This decision has been made in light of PIF's investment priorities and current macro dynamics."

Under a reshaped model, LIV established a new, independent board and envisions further commercial agreements to stabilize the intended PGA Tour competitor.

"LIV Golf is transitioning from a foundational launch phase to a diversified, multi-partner investment model, with a formal process underway to attract long-term financial partners," the circuit said in a statement Thursday, hours after learning the financial underpinning from the PIF was ended.

Signs of a fracture in the PIF-LIV emerged earlier this year and simmered to the surface last week, when ESPN obtained an email LIV CEO Scott O'Neil sent to staff claiming the 2026 season will continue "exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle." He made no mention of LIV's future beyond 2026, however.

LIV said the new board will be headed by Eugene Davis, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PIRINATE Consulting Group LLC and Jon Zinman, the founder and managing member of JZ Advisors LLC. They are tasked primarily with "institutionalizing the league, formalizing its ownership structure, and evaluating the range of strategic opportunities," LIV Golf said Thursday.

Founded in 2021, LIV Golf made its debut in June 2022 and used lavish, guaranteed contracts to lure dozens of stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA. PIF has provided LIV with more than $5 billion, but the league has reportedly lost millions of dollars per year. Earlier this month, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, PIF's governor and LIV's main financial backer, shared a plan for the kingdom to cut back on international investments and focus on more domestic projects.

DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Rahm reportedly turned down the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. According to MSN.com, some LIV players have reached out to the DP World Tour.

--Field Level Media

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU ISSUES A STATEMENT ABOUT JOHN RAHM AFTER WINNING LIV SOUTH AFRICA PLAYOFF

Photo by WIKUS DE WET / AFP via Getty Images

Bryson DeChambeau birdied the first playoff hole to beat Jon Rahm to the LIV Golf South Africa title on Sunday.

DeChambeau and Rahm finished 72 holes at LIV South Africa on 26-under-par, after both golfers played almost flawless golf throughout the week at The Club at Steyn City.

To make things even sweeter for the American, The Crushers won the team championship as well.

DeChambeau and Rahm are quite clearly LIV Golf‘s two biggest stars and they put on a real show in South Africa this week.

After his win, DeChambeau admitted his driving wasn’t the best at LIV South Africa, and he’ll be desperate to address that in the lead-up to The Masters next month.

The 32-year-old American was still good enough to pip Rahm to the title, though.

And that is obviously no easy task.

Bryson DeChambeau makes declaration about Jon Rahm after LIV South Africa

The two-time major champion was incredibly emotional after winning his fifth LIV title.

After making birdie on the final hole, he was reduced to tears, as the emotions began to pour out of him.

He spoke to reporters immediately after and responded when asked how he managed to maintain focus in spite of the raucous atmosphere at The Club at Steyn City on Sunday.

“Stay in my zone, don’t worry about other people, execute the shots the best way you know how to,“ the American said.

“That’s the best advice I learnt over the course of my career, the experience that I’ve gained. It’s great just to be in wet conditions, windy, weird, finishing not consistent, and still be able to shine through those difficult moments and those difficult stretches and make putts when I needed to.“

“Hats off to Jon Rahm, I’ve got to tell you that guy, gosh he’s too good.

“Oh my gosh, he’s unbelievable. That’s why he’s one of the best in the world. You could see it out here today, shot eight under to finish it off and gave me a hard time to finish this one off, but luckily I hit that three wood in there to 12 feet.“

Jon Rahm’s playoff woes continue

DeChambeau is right; Rahm is a terrific golfer.

However, the fact that he has now lost his last five playoffs will undoubtedly be a big concern for the Spaniard.

On the flip side, DeChambeau has won four of the five professional playoffs he has taken part in.

DeChambeau will be flying high now after his win at LIV Golf South Africa, and with his victory, he will jump back inside the top-30 in the official golf world rankings.

LIV Golf put on a real show in South Africa this week – it was arguably the most exciting event since their inception four years ago.

However, DeChambeau and Rahm will be leaving The Club at Steyn City with contrasting emotions.

- Antony Martin

LIV GOLF LEAGUE TO MAKE SOUTH AFRICA DEBUT IN 2026

LIV Golf will venture to Africa for the first time next year when it begins a multiyear commitment with a visit to Steyn City, South Africa.

The event will take place from March 20 to March 22, LIV Golf announced Saturday.

The news was music to the ears of South African Louis Oosthuizen, the winner of the 2010 Open Championship.

He also serves as the captain of the Stinger GC team, an all-South African squad that features 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester and Branden Grace.

"It's always special to compete at home, and I'm incredibly proud to bring LIV Golf to South Africa for the first time," Oosthuizen said. "For Branden, Charl, Dean and I to play in front of our fans, friends, and families will be an unforgettable experience.

"South African sports fans love their golf, and I am sure they will turn out in large numbers ... South Africa has given so much to us, and now we get to give something back."

- Field Level Media

DESCHAMBEAU AND HOWELL III'S BATTLE FOR LIVE GOLF KOREA | FINAL ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

 

PHIL MICKELSON'S PGA TOUR APOLOGY DEMAND, £750K ACCUSATION, MESSAGE TO DONALD TRUMP'S DOJ

Phil Mickelson has fired numerous shots at the PGA Tour ever since he was first linked with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Phil Mickelson has taken regular shots at the PGA Tour over the past three years (Image: Getty)

Phil Mickelson's feud with the PGA Tour has continued after Wesley Bryan was suspended for participating in a LIV Golf event. Earlier this month, LIV introduced The Duels, a new format that saw six professionals from the Saudi-sponsored circuit team up with social media influencers.

Stars such as Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, plus Mickelson and Bryan, were all part of the mix. Bryan, who has barely figured on the PGA Tour recently, seized the opportunity presented by LIV after gaining prominence as a content creator with a successful YouTube channel. Although he doesn't have an active PGA Tour card, his involvement led to him being suspended by the tour, with an infuriated Mickelson taking to social media to demand an intervention by Donald Trump's Department of Justice. "Here's a question," he began. "Normally when an entity violates independent contract law, they deny that it happened and forces the contractor/individual to prove that it did.

"In this case, the PGA Tour blatantly admits they are illegally banning an independent contractor, so why doesn't they DOJ step in and enforce the law? Why does the individual have to sue to enforcer the law? DOJ do your f****** job!" It was the latest in a long list of grievances Mickelson has aimed at the PGA Tour since his involvement with LIV Golf was first mooted three years ago...

'Greedy' accusation

Mickelson stirred controversy even before the LIV was launched. 'Leftie' openly criticised the PGA Tour with accusations of greed, particularly over the issue of media rights. "There are many issues, but that is one of the biggest," he said in an interview with Golf Digest.

"For me, personally, it's not enough that they are sitting on hundreds of millions of digital moments. They also have access to my shots, access I do not have. They also charge companies to use shots I have hit. And when I did 'The Match' - there have been five of them - the tour forced me to pay them $1million each time.

The three-time Masters champ has never been one to mince his words (Image: Getty)

"For my own media rights. That type of greed is, to me, beyond obnoxious." Adding to his grievances, Mickelson asserted that the Tour controls an estimated "roughly $20billion" (£15bn) in media assets and countless digital memories that, in his opinion, rightfully belong to the players.

The Tour defended itself against Mickelson's remarks, maintaining that the majority of players are satisfied with how the organisation operates. One executive countered Mickelson's assertions to GOLF.com, saying: "I've never seen anybody be really interested in how we generate the money.

"There's some conversation about it now because, you know, Phil's making stuff up that's just not true. But in general, they're happy that there's a lot of money that comes from it."

Mickelson was left furious by Wesley Bryan's suspension (Image: Getty)

Moreover, the Tour emphasises that over half of its approximately $1.5m [£1.13m] yearly revenue is apportioned to the players, aligning with the norms of other professional sports organisations.

Monahan criticism

Mickelson hasn't held back in his criticism of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. In November 2023, Mickelson weighed in on rumours that Monahan might be ousted from his position if a deal between the Tour and PIF was struck.

He took to social media to assert that "golf is in this situation entirely because of [Monahan]". He accused him of "losing trust with his players" and stated that "there's no unity or path forward with [Monahan] involved in my opinion as well".

Jay Monahan has been slammed by Mickelson (Image: Getty)

'$1billion peace offer'

Mickelson also disclosed a $1bn [£750m] peace proposal he had offered to the Tour before jumping ship to LIV. He said: "Before I left I brought a $1bn commitment from a current PGA Tour partner to have 8 elevated events and give equity and ownership in these events to the players. JM's quote was: 'I don't believe the league is going to happen so we won't be doing that'. No vote, no discussion."

Apology demand

A year into the existence of LIV, Mickelson called for an apology from the PGA Tour. That followed suggestions in a leaked memo that those who had publicly criticised the PGA Tour would face harsher treatment than other defectors if they performed a U-turn.

Mickelson said: "What a colossal waste of time. Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to Clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV."

Mickelson was complaining about the PGA Tour even before leaving for LIV (Image: Getty)

Woods dinner snub

PGA Tour loyalist Tiger Woods reportedly orchestrated a pointed snub to Mickelson by blocking him from attending a private dinner celebrating past champions before the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in 2022.

According to revelations in Alan Shipnuck's book 'LIV and Let Die', it was claimed by an anonymous source: "He (Woods) talked to a handful of other [past champions] to get their blessing and then went to the R&A and told them, basically, no one wanted Phil there and it would make the night weird and awkward. Whose side were they going to take, Tiger's or Phil's? That's an easy choice."

Talking up LIV

Mickelson continues to be a vocal supporter of LIV Golf. Explaining his standpoint on The Joe Pomp Show earlier this year, Mickelson shared his perspective on why their events are more family-friendly.

Tiger Woods blocked Mickelson from attending a private dinner at The Open, it was claimed (Image: PGA TOUR via Getty)

"You go to a LIV event, you feel different," he said. "Here's why: You have music going when you're out on the course. We don't hear little people saying stuff.

"So you're not as anxious about having your kids be quiet. There's a fan zone like on the course where you can sit down, take a break, grab some drinks. It's like a little hang. You can take a nap.

"They have a kid zone by the clubhouse where, again, you can take a nap, play putt-putt, play games for them and entertain them with a big screen so you can still see what's going on with the golf.

"So when you go there, you feel calm. You feel comfortable. It's like, 'OK, our kids had a great time. I was relaxed. I wasn't worried'. I think that's the number one reason why LIV is going to be successful."

- MARK WHILEY

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU PLAYED MASTERS FINAL MASTERS ROUND IN SILENCE BECAUSE RORY MCILROY REFUSED TO SPEAK

© PETER CASEY-IMAGN IMAGES

Rory McIlroy was locked in during his final round at The Masters. While that Sunday performance was a bit up and down, he ultimately emerged victorious in a playoff versus Justin Rose. In doing so, McIlroy became a Grand Slam winner.

The elusive Masters victory was finally achieved. The golfer was overcome with emotion after the fact.

McIlroy broke down in tears on the 18th green. A weight had been lifted from his shoulders. His playing partner, Bryson DeChambeau, saw his opponent’s determination throughout that final day.

DeChambeau said he was forced to play his final round in silence. McIlroy was too locked in.

“He didn’t talk to me once all day,” he said after the tournament. “He wouldn’t talk to me.”

The two players have a bit of history as it relates to the recent LIV-PGA Tour split. DeChambeau bolted for LIV money. McIlroy stayed put while championing moral superiority with The Tour. It was almost fitting to see them battle it out for the Masters win.

The duo had much different ways of dealing with the pressure atop of the leaderboard.

Bryson DeChambeau spent Friday night hanging with fans at The Masters.

He reportedly took a walk to clear his mind before the final rounds. He stumbled across a custom putting green in someone’s back yard.

He reportedly took a walk to clear his mind before the final rounds. He stumbled across a custom putting green in someone’s back yard.

A gathering took place at the home of Paul Pearman, an Augusta resident that enjoyed the golf action over the weekend. DeChambeau spent an hour or so hitting balls and getting to know the fan while taking his mind off of the competition for a brief moment.

It offered a much different approach that what we saw from a laser-focused Rory McIlroy. It’s somewhat expected, though, given DeChambeau’s ability to play loose and build off the energy of the crowd.

It seemed to pay immediate dividends, too, when he shot a 69. Unfortunately, DeChambeau wasn’t able to capitalize. He struggled on Sunday, shooting +3 on the day. He fell from second to fifth in the standings.

McIlroy, meanwhile, was able to fend off Justin Rose, who shot -6 in his final round. One extra hole was needed to decide this year’s Masters champ. The Northern Irishman came out victorious following a speechless Sunday finish.

- JACOB ELSEY

LIV GOLF MIAMI: ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS | LIV ON FOX

 

SERGIO GARCIA WINS LIV GOLF HONG KONG AS FIREBALLS GC SWEEPS TEAM & INDIVIDUAL TITLES

Getty

LIV Golf Hong Kong brought plenty of firepower on Sunday, as Sergio Garcia and his blazing Fireballs GC not only claimed the top individual honour but also took home the team trophy.

In the process, HyFlyers GC Captain Phil Mickelson showed flashes of that Hall of Fame brilliance we’ve come to expect over the years.

The Fireballs, led by their fearless captain Garcia, backed up last month’s success at LIV Golf Adelaide with another victory.

Now, they’ll head to LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco looking to become the first club to net three consecutive wins since the league went to a 14-tournament format in 2023.

Garcia himself delivered a pristine 7-under 63 to finish at 18 under for the week, three shots clear of Dean Burmester, whose sizzling 62 stood as the day’s low round. Garcia, who finished third in last season’s Individual Championship race, now tops the points standings through the first three events of 2025.

The 45-year-old Spaniard arrived at the 18th on Sunday with a comfortable cushion in the individual competition but needed to avoid a slip to prevent a team playoff with Burmester’s Stinger GC.

His lengthy birdie try cosied up to the hole for an easy tap-in, securing the Fireballs’ sixth team title in their storied history and leaving them 10 points ahead of Legion XIII in the season-long chase.

“It was nice to see not only that I was doing well and leading the tournament, but my teammates were playing great,” said Garcia, who follows teammate Abraham Ancer as individual champions in Hong Kong.

“They were keeping us there with a chance to win. Obviously when you can pull the double, it’s a lot sweeter than if it’s just one of them. Very proud of them.”

For a moment, it looked like the Fireballs and Stingers might go into extra holes, until 22-year-old offseason signee Luis Masaveu drained a decisive birdie on his last hole, the par-4 10th. “It feels incredible,” said Masaveu. “…

Very happy for the team to be able to hole that putt and help them.” He shot an even-par 70, with Ancer carding 65 and David Puig posting a spotless 67, giving the Fireballs a three-day total of 37 under—one shot better than the South African Stingers. HyFlyers GC, piloted by Mickelson, shared third place at 34 under with Cameron Smith’s Ripper GC, the reigning Team Champions.

Individually, Mickelson soared to solo third with a 64, finishing at 14 under. It’s the 54-year-old’s first podium finish since joining LIV Golf in 2022. With golf’s first major of the season right around the corner at Augusta National, his timing couldn’t be better.

“The fact is, I’m hitting a lot of good shots. I’m playing some good golf,” said Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner.

“This is a building week as I continue to build into LIV and my goal of accomplishing a win in LIV as well as winning another major or getting ready for Augusta.”

Garcia’s Continuing Masterclass

Garcia, a past Masters champion, has been on a tear for more than a year. Since the start of the 2024 LIV Golf season, he’s captured two wins, posted three runner-up finishes, and racked up 13 top-20s in his last 16 regular-season events—now 10 straight after Hong Kong.

His round on Sunday began with a share of the lead, but he quickly distanced himself by sinking a lengthy eagle putt at the par-5 third, courtesy of a precise 6-iron approach.

“It really got me in a good mood,” Garcia said of his eagle. “I was very focused on what I wanted to do. But obviously when that happens, it gets you going even more.”

Long praised for his ball striking, Garcia’s putter was the real hero at Hong Kong  Golf Club.

He ranked third in fewest putts after reverting to one of his trusty old flatsticks.“He’s a machine,” Masaveu said after playing alongside him.

Meanwhile, teammate Ancer—asked if a red-hot Garcia is as good as it gets—simply said, “Yes.”

Mickelson’s Finest LIV Showing

Mickelson’s day ended with a pinpoint approach into the 18th, setting up a tap-in birdie for a 6-under 64. It not only locked down third place but helped the HyFlyers finish tied for third in the team contest.

Brendan Steele fired a 66, Andy Ogletree posted a 69, and Cameron Tringale delivered an even-par 70 on Sunday.

“A great stepping stone for us as we continue to build,” Mickelson said. “We had a great opportunity.

We were up on the leaderboard most of the day, and we fell three shots shy, but we are really starting to hit stride.

All four of us are progressing, and we’re playing like we know we can, we believe we can, and now we’re starting to get some results.”

Once known as golf’s resident short-game wizard, Mickelson admitted to a tough couple of years in that department, but this performance suggests he’s back on track. “I had a rough couple of years,” Mickelson said.

“That was a good round of golf. Really solid,” Burmester said. “I didn’t leave much out there. A couple putts I left in the throat that maybe could have gone in.

Sergio played a hell of a weekend there. I’m just glad I was up there. It was good to get those feelings again. I just kind of had that feeling all week that I was going to be close.”

Masaveu’s Mettle

Though he stumbled with a bogey at the par-5 third and par-3 fifth, then doubled the par-4 sixth, Masaveu’s resolve never wavered.

Knowing his team was in a tight battle, he rolled in a decisive birdie on his final hole (the 10th) to clinch victory.

“Standing on No. 7, I just knew I had to score at least 1-under,” Masaveu said.

“Started playing a little better from there. Then on No. 10 I saw on the screen that I needed to make birdie, so I tried my best, and thankfully I did it.”

“My short game is really sharp now.” He’s missed just one event this season due to injury and has finished with top-24 points in both appearances, currently sitting 12th in the standings.

Burmester Burns Bright

While Garcia stayed on cruise control, Dean Burmester gave it his all with the round of the day—a scorching 8-under 62—for solo second.

Fresh off a win at LIV Golf Miami last year, he was all smiles despite falling short against a flawless Garcia.

“That was a good round of golf. Really solid,” Burmester said. “I didn’t leave much out there. A couple putts I left in the throat that maybe could have gone in.

Sergio played a hell of a weekend there. I’m just glad I was up there. It was good to get those feelings again. I just kind of had that feeling all week that I was going to be close.”

Masaveu’s Mettle

Though he stumbled with a bogey at the par-5 third and par-3 fifth, then doubled the par-4 sixth, Masaveu’s resolve never wavered.

Knowing his team was in a tight battle, he rolled in a decisive birdie on his final hole (the 10th) to clinch victory.

“Standing on No. 7, I just knew I had to score at least 1-under,” Masaveu said.

“Started playing a little better from there. Then on No. 10 I saw on the screen that I needed to make birdie, so I tried my best, and thankfully I did it.”

Burmester might have been denied a shot at a playoff, but even he was impressed: “I saw the young kid Luis make a birdie, and that’s special,” he said. “For a kid like that, that’s awesome. So, kudos to him.”

The Caddie Factor

A year ago, Benji Thompson carried Abraham Ancer’s bag during Ancer’s triumph at the 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong.

This offseason, Garcia brought Thompson aboard, and now Thompson is 2-for-2 at this venue.

“I’m giving him a nickname. I’m calling him King Kong. He’s the king of Hong Kong,” Garcia said with a grin. “Yeah, he’s got something on this course for sure.”

Rahm Keeps Rolling

Legion XIII Captain Jon Rahm shot a bogey-free 4-under 66 to tie for sixth at 11 under, continuing his run of finishing inside the top 10 in every LIV event he’s completed—except for one WD in Houston last season due to injury.

The Spaniard also extended his under-par streak to 18 rounds, just two shy of Bryson DeChambeau’s all-time league record.

Rahm now looks to keep that momentum alive next week in Singapore.

Final-Round Stat Sheet

• Driving accuracy: Branden Grace, 100% (14/14 fairways)

• Driving distance: Dustin Johnson, 342.8 yards avg.

• Longest drive: Bryson DeChambeau, 378.9 yards (11th hole)

• Greens in regulation: Tom McKibbin, 94.44% (17/18)

• Scrambling: 10 players at 100%, led by David Puig (6/6)

• Putting: Graeme McDowell, 1.33 putts per hole

• Bogey-free rounds: Dean Burmester (62), Sergio Garcia (63), Marc Leishman (65), Richard Bland (65), Jon Rahm (66), Cameron Smith (66), David Puig (67)

In short, it was yet another exhilarating week at LIV Golf Hong Kong, leaving fans eager to see if Garcia’s Fireballs can keep the embers glowing when the tour heads to Singapore.

If these early-season fireworks are a preview of things to come, buckle up—this LIV campaign is shaping up to be a wild ride.

- LIV Golf Weekly 

LIV GOLF HONG KONG: DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS

FINAL ROUND | LIV GOLF RIYADH | HIGHLIGHTS

LIV GOLF RIYADH | ROUND 2 HIGHLIGHTS

 

LIV GOLF RIYADH | DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS

 

THE MASTERS EXTEND INVITATIONS TO LIV GOLF STAR, FORMER EUROPEAN RYDER CUP PLAYER

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

Augusta National Golf Club announced that it had extended special invitations to two international stars.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley announced Wednesday that LIV Golf star Joaquin Niemann and 2023 Ryder Cup star Nicolai Højgaard received invitations to compete in the 2025 Masters Tournament.

This year’s Masters will mark Niemann’s fifth straight appearance at Augusta National, with his best finish coming two years ago as he tied for 16th. The 26-year-old Niemann joined LIV Golf in 2022 when he was a top-20 player in the world. His Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) has since plummeted, although Niemann has prioritized playing in 72-hole events around the world to keep his ranking afloat. He is currently 71st in the OWGR, but DataGolf has him ranked 15th. Niemann tied for 9th at the Olympics last summer and then closed out the calendar year on a high note. He posted a pair of top 10s at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and the Australian Open and then won an Asian Tour event in Saudi Arabia.

Højgaard, meanwhile, will make his second Masters appearance. Last year, the young Dane sat towards the top of the leaderboard after each of the first three rounds. He even held the lead briefly on Saturday afternoon but ended up finishing in a tie for 16th. Højgaard shot a 4-over 76 on Sunday, opening his final round with a double bogey. He also made a quadruple-bogey seven on the famous par-3 12th. Despite that, Højgaard had a solid 2024 season, highlighted by his 7th-place finish at the Olympics. He also closed the DP World Tour season with five straight top-25s. But best of all, Nicolai’s twin brother, Rasmus, who won the Irish Open at Royal County Down in September, will make his Masters debut this year. It will mark the first time that a pair of twins will compete in the same tournament.

- Jack Milko

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EMOTIONAL JOHN RAHM SECURES FIRST LIV GOLF WIN AFTER HATTON S 5-PUTT FINISH

Jon Rahm out-lasted Tyrrell Hatton to win his first LIV Golf event and breathe a sigh of relief after what's been a taxing 2024 season.

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Jon Rahm put his hand to his forehead and tried to hold back tears, but some might have escaped.

He battled mixed emotions; his Legion XIII teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, had just three-putted his final hole at LIV Golf’s United Kingdom stop at JCB Golf & Country Club on Sunday. For Hatton, one putt would have won, two would have forced a playoff and anything worse handed Rahm his long-awaited first LIV win.

From 65 feet, 10 inches, Hatton nestled it to about 6 feet away, but the par save missed on the low end and Rahm, who was looking on from off the green, was the winner.

Finally.

“It’s just emotional,” Rahm said. “It hasn’t been the easiest year for our family. Kelley and I have gone through quite a bit, and she has gone through even more, being on bedrest among many other things. She did tell me, our son Kepa said to bring a trophy home in this stretch of golf, and I started to believe it was going to happen at one point today. Maybe not in the last 20 minutes. But at least I can look at them and say I’m bringing one home for them.”

Rahm famously ditched the PGA Tour for LIV Golf in the offseason, a huge feather in the cap for LIV and one giant cold-shoulder to the Tour, which lost one of its biggest stars despite its “Framework Agreement” with the Saudi PIF. But after he went to LIV, Rahm failed to shine on the biggest stages.

“It’s not like I’ve been playing bad, even though a lot of you make it sound like I’m playing bad,” Rahm said at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst last month. “I had two bad weeks. I’ve been top 10 and had a chance to win in most of the tournaments I’ve played, and then unfortunately Augusta and PGA wasn’t my best showings. But yeah, I’m happy. I mean, it’s been a wonderful career so far. And yeah, it hasn’t been the best first half of the year, but there’s been many times where I haven’t had a great start, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great finish.”

Hours after that interview, Rahm withdrew from the U.S. Open with a foot injury, which continued a disappointing major streak for the 29-year-old two-time major champ. After a win (the Masters) and two other top 10s in the majors in 2023, since joining LIV Rahm tied for 45th at the 2024 Masters and was cut from the PGA Championship — the first time he’d failed to make the weekend at a major in five years.

But Rahm was right about one thing at the U.S. Open — he hadn’t been playing that poorly. In the lead up to Pinehurst, and excluding his withdraw due to injury from one event, he finished top 10 in all seven of his LIV starts. Two of those were third-place finishes.

Those strong LIV finishes, however, still don’t garner much attention from the wider golf world. Ratings are not great for LIV events, it remains somewhat difficult to track down the broadcasts and Rahm is essentially in a lose-lose scenario. Despite some marquee names headlining tournaments — Rahm, Hatton, Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia, Joaquin Niemann, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson — LIV fields are still small with 54 players, and many of those pros who round out the field are far from household names.

If Rahm wins, it’s because he should have. If he doesn’t, well, he must be in a slump. Besides, the larger golf audience focuses solely on majors, so many aren’t privy to Rahm’s top-10 parade on LIV. And if they are, perhaps they were unimpressed.

After the U.S. Open, Rahm was third at LIV Nashville and then took 10th in Spain, giving him his ninth top-10 in as many starts. A week later he tied for 7th at The Open, by far his best major finish of the year.

“At Nashville and last week, I felt closer to getting to a higher level of golf where maybe there isn’t as many thoughts on my process,” Rahm said at Royal Troon. “Maybe I’m playing a little bit more freely and seeing the ball flight that I want to see more often. Yeah, I’m getting much closer to what it might have been early last year.”

On Sunday, Rahm started the day nine under, three back of leader Andy Ogletree and also a stroke behind Hatton and Smith. But Rahm turned in two under and then made three birdies in a four-hole stretch to start the back nine. As Ogletree faded, it was Rahm, Hatton, Niemann and Smith contending for the title.

Rahm made his lone bogey on 17, and he got in with a four-under 67 to take the clubhouse lead at 13 under. Then he waited for Hatton to finish. Three putts later, Rahm had won.

“Finally got one done,” Rahm said. “You never want to get those feelings to go on for too long, and to get over the hump feels great incredible. It’s been a fantastic week and a fantastic year, and just relieved that it happened.”

- Josh Berhow