On 1 February at the Saudi International, LIV Golf Investments, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-backed company headed by Greg Norman, along with the Asian Tour, unveiled details of 'The International Series' for 2022/23, which features seven tournaments across Asia and Europe.
The venture, which was first announced in November, sees a $300 million investment over 10 years. Debuting at Black Mountain Golf Club in Thailand, the first International Series event saw a $1.5 million purse before moving to Slaley Hall for its England debut in June. That tournament featured a $2m purse, with Scott Vincent emerging as the winner. Further events in the inaugural season are scheduled for Singapore and South Korea in August, before rounding up with tournaments in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Middle East, China and Hong Kong.
Following the first two International Series events, it was announced in July that LIV Golf players are expected to play in various International Series tournaments next year. They'll do so in tournaments earmarked for Thailand, England, South Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, Indonesia, China, Singaporean, Hong Kong and as-yet-unnamed locations across the Americas and Europe. This, of course, would take place the same year the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series becomes a fully fledged League. Interestingly, the International Series will become an integral part of that restructuring, with promotion from it one of the pathways to the League.
On the plans to expand the reach of the International Series and integrate it with the LIV Golf League, Norman said: “The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars. LIV Golf is committed to making sustainable investments that grow the game now and for the future, and we are proud to turn these dreams into a reality.”
After its initial announcement earlier in the year, Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, stated that: “We are on the threshold of a new era for Asian golf. The International Series is a new upper-tier of elite events, the likes of which the region has not seen before. That will mark the start of a phenomenal period of growth for the Asian Tour. It also signifies the beginning of our relationship with our new strategic partner, LIV Golf Investments and its CEO, Greg Norman.
“Importantly, The International Series will add to the Asian Tour’s backbone of established events to comprise a 25-event season, expected to represent a record-breaking combined prize-fund. Each of the 10 events will be broadcast live across the globe, with plans to attract an international field of headline talent.”
With those plans to expand the global reach of the International Series in 2023, bring closer integration with the new LIV Golf League, and LIV Golf's decade-long commitment to investing in the Asian Tour, it seems likely that the Saudi-backed organisation's vision to 'holistically improve the health of professional golf on a truly global scale to help unlock the sports untapped worldwide potential' may soon come to fruition. What's more, the International Series looks like being an integral part of the plan.
-
'Gator Netting Is In Place' - Chevron Championship Venue Prepared For 'Safe' Winner's JumpA tradition which began at the tournament's previous home could continue this year - if the champion is feeling brave enough...
-
New Balance 997 SL Golf Shoe ReviewNew Balance produce some extremely stylish footwear and, in this review, Matt Cradock takes their spikeless 997 SL onto the course
