After being wrapped up in a saga for over a year, the controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series will finally get underway this week at Centurion Club in St. Albans.
The inaugural event will see the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia all tee it up in the opening round on Thursday. Some of golf’s biggest stars are not the only thing to keep an eye on at the Hertfordshire-based event though, with a whole host of other bizarre aspects added by the series’ bosses - led by former world No. 1 Greg Norman.
Ahead of the circuit opener Norman revealed the LIV Series is about ‘more than just hosting a new golf tournament’. He commented: “LIV Golf is about more than just hosting a new golf tournament. It’s about creating an event experience.
"We want players and fans to feed off a unique energy rarely encountered through this game, while engaging new audiences that will help golf grow. From intense competition on the course to entertainment that caters to fans of all ages, there will be something for everyone at Centurion.”
Event organisers have clearly done everything they can to stand out from the traditional golf tournament values, and this even starts with the format the tournament will follow. As a result, each event will be played out across three rounds (54 holes) instead of the usual four, with all players beginning at the same time via a shotgun start.
The most bizarre aspect to the tournament start-up though comes with how the players are transported to their designated starting holes, with the tournament confirming London black cabs will take the playing groups to their designated tee. The event will have both an individual and team winner, with teams put together and elected in an NFL-style draft on Tuesday evening.
Despite its NFL similarities it is fair to say the team names may not catch on as well as their American Football counterparts, with the likes of the ‘4 Aces’ captained by Johnson, the ‘Hy Flyers’ led by Mickelson, and the ‘Fireballs’ led by Garcia just three of the 12 teams involved. As is often the case for sporting events, live music will also be on offer for those in attendance.
Will you be tuning in to watch the LIV Golf Invitational this week? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tournament organisers confirmed that the Centurion Club will also host a three-night concert after the end of each day’s play. Thursday will see both James Morrison and James Bay perform, before Craig David and John Newman take to the stage on Friday.
The event will be finished off Melanie C (DJ Set) and Jessie J on Saturday, whose hit single ‘Price Tag’ had golf fans on social media ironically chuckling following the hefty prize pot on offer for players competing in all eight events.
