LIV Golf has unveiled extra occasions as a part of its 2025 schedule, which options acquainted spots and new locales, comparable to South Korea and Indianapolis, Indiana.
But, the Saudi-backed circuit ignored a request from Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. Each main champions wished LIV to stage an occasion at a hyperlinks course previous to The Open Championship, hoping that it will higher put together them for golf’s oldest main.
As an alternative, the league will return to Southern Spain from Jul. 11-13, the week earlier than Royal Portrush hosts The Open in Northern Eire for a second time. Valderrama Golf Membership, the positioning of the 1997 Ryder Cup that usually attracts comparisons to Augusta Nationwide, will host a LIV event for the third straight yr. It’s the second consecutive season during which this course will stage this occasion immediatley earlier than The Open.
Valderrama is little doubt an exceptional golf course, one of many highlights of the LIV Golf season. However the issue lies with its place on the calendar. The golf course—together with the local weather—differs considerably from what gamers will face at The Open the next week. It’s no surprise why so many PGA Tour stars tee it up on the Genesis Scottish Open the week earlier than The Open every year. They wish to get accustomed to the climate and hyperlinks golf, a totally completely different fashion of play.
“It was actually two polar opposites of golf,” Smith stated to information.com.au on Oct. 30 about this previous yr, which featured LIV Golf’s Valderrama occasion and The Open in back-to-back weeks.
“It was actually sizzling [at Valderrama], and the ball was going a good distance up in altitude, after which getting on to hyperlinks [at Royal Troon], the place it’s fairly chilly and windy, it’s most likely not the most effective prep.”
Three days after this previous yr’s Open at Royal Troon, forward of LIV Golf’s occasion in the UK, Rahm informed Golf Digest’s Evin Priest that he want to see a LIV Golf occasion held on a links-style course forward of The Open—just like what the PGA Tour does at The Renaissance Membership with the Genesis Scottish Open.
“I’m pushing for it,” Rahm stated to Golf Digest on Jul. 24.
“There’s a lot that goes into adjusting to hyperlinks golf, getting used to the greens and the ball reacting on the bottom. I didn’t give it some thought till after [Royal Troon], nevertheless it’s plain how a lot it helps to play a hyperlinks golf course the week earlier than the Open.”
Many LIV golf stars—apart from Rahm—struggled to get acclimated to the circumstances this previous July. Smith, who gained at St. Andrews in 2022, opened with a 9-over 80 and missed the lower at Royal Troon. Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion, additionally didn’t make the weekend.
Total, 5 of the 16 LIV gamers within the area missed the lower, whereas solely three completed among the many high 20. Rahm tied for seventh, ending eight strokes again of champion Xander Schauffele.
Possibly their outcomes would have been higher if LIV staged an occasion within the British Isles earlier than The Open Championship. Rahm and Smith actually really feel that approach.
However, LIV Golf has introduced 10 occasions for its 2025 schedule. 4 extra haven’t but been introduced. The partial 2025 schedule is listed beneath, which additionally contains the 4 majors:
Feb. 6-8 — LIV Golf Riyadh — Riyadh Golf Membership, Saudi Arabia
Feb. 14-16 — LIV Golf Adelaide — The Grange Golf Membership, Australia
Mar. 7-9 — LIV Golf Hong Kong — Hong Kong Golf Membership at Fanling, Hong Kong
Mar. 14-16 — LIV Golf Singapore — Sentosa Golf Membership, Singapore
Apr. 10-13 — The Masters — Augusta Nationwide, Georgia
Could 2-4 — LIV Golf Korea — Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, South Korea
Could 15-18 — PGA Championship — Quail Hole Membership, North Carolina
Jun. 12-15 — U.S. Open — Oakmont Nation Membership, Pennsylvania
Jun. 27-29 — LIV Golf Dallas — Maridoe Golf Membership, United States
Ju. 11-13 — LIV Golf Andalucía — Actual Membership Valderrama, Spain
Jul. 17-20 — The 153rd Open Championship — Royal Portrush, Northern Eire
Jul. 25-27 — LIV Golf United Kingdom — JCB Golf & Nation Membership, United Kingdom
Aug. 8-10 — LIV Golf Chicago — Bolingbrook Golf Membership, United States
Aug. 15-17 — LIV Golf Indianapolis — The Membership at Chatham Hills, United States
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
