The rebel round of golf is coming to Spain

LIV Golf, the rebel circuit, the calendar of the Saudi capital that a little over a year ago flooded the established system with millions — and conflicts — is coming to Spain. Valderrama, one of the most famous courses in Europe, the scene of Ryder in 1997, will host the team event starting tomorrow, just three weeks after the announcement of a truce between the three feuding institutions: on the one hand, the PGA Tour and the European circuit, on the other calendar supported by PIF, the Arab country’s investment arm. Little is still known about the future, after some players grabbed multimillion-dollar contracts in LIV in exchange for veto rights in opposing circles, and others rejected stratospheric fixtures to defend the most classic championships. The competition takes place from tomorrow until Sunday (LIV Golf Plus and LIVGolfPlus.com, 13.15).

FORMAT

Three days, 54 players and 18 teams, no cut

With a few qualifying exceptions, LIV Golf is open by invitation. Each event is contested by 54 players divided into 12 teams of four golfers each. After three electric days of 18 holes, with shooting starts, in which everyone competes at the same time, to condense the show into just four hours, the individual and team rankings are determined.

figures

Four old numbers 1

Up to four former No. 1s meet this weekend at Valderrama, LIV’s first continental European event, in a 14-stop lineup: Brooks Koepka, current winner of the PGA Championship, one of its five major tournaments; Dustin Johnson —at the top of the rankings for 135 weeks—; Martin Kaymer —winner of two majors— and Lee Westwood. In addition, Grand Slam tournament winners such as current British Open champion Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson, a legend who already played Ryder in 1997 in San Roque, are also competing.

prizes

Jackpot of four million for an individual winner

Four million for the first place in the individual standings and another shower of money for the team placement. It’s an add-on to the fixed that most players signed to LIV enjoy.

atmosphere

The insurgents, already more accepted than the others

The agreement struck by the three major circuits a few weeks ago also eased relations between some of the most belligerent players on both sides. Among others, former allies of the European Ryder Cup team such as Rory McIlroy, the great enemy of LIV Golf and its players, and Sergio García, one of the flags of the rebel circles and rams against the classic structures of business. The Spaniard confirmed the thaw between the two at the recent US Open, as the Grand Slams have so far been the only tournaments where the stars from both sides have aligned. “I got back a friend that I felt like I lost last year. We talked, we had a good talk,” he said without quoting McIlroy. In addition to García, captain of the Fireballs team, there will be two other Spaniards in Valderrama, Eugenio López Chacarra, who turned pro directly through LIV and won a prize of almost five million for his individual victory and team result in Thailand last year, and David Puig.

RYDER CUP

Doubts about some key figures

Among the doubts left by the golf truce is the Ryder Cup, which is controlled by the PGA Tour and the European circuit. For rebels like Sergio García to play him (he is the highest scoring player in the history of the Old Continent), he would have to pay a fine for playing outside events without permission, request a return to the tour and be invited by the captain, Luke Donald. His presence would have a huge symbolic significance in the existing peace.

TV

digital platforms

LIV Golf is starting to increase its appeal to the public. Last April, in Adelaide, more than 35,000 people attended. In Valderrama, tickets cost 42 euros, although other packages are also sold. There is still no classic reference operator on television, and in Europe it can be seen via the LIV Golf Plus application and the LIVGolfPlus.com website, all three days from 1:15 p.m.

activities

Music, events and a more relaxed dress code

LIV Golf challenges some of the rigid rules of golf, such as clothing. Players can compete, for example, in shorts, which is only allowed in traditional tournaments in practice rounds. Music thunders on the green, but also in parallel activities, such as concerts after the competition: in Valderrama, one of them will be Beret.