Feb 27, 2026, 07:44 PM ET
The launch of LIV Golf shook up the professional golf landscape in a variety of ways. Learn more information about its format, teams, players and other key elements below:
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What is LIV Golf?
LIV Golf is a men's professional golf league. Founded in 2021, LIV is financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. In addition to the 72-hole individual competition, LIV is known for its team competition, with 54 players comprising 13 teams that compete against each other each tournament.
What is the LIV Golf format?
LIV has two different competitions within each tournament that take place alongside each other: the individual competition and the team competition. Each tournament features 57 players, with 52 belonging to a respective team, and five known as wild-card players. The individual competition is a standard 72-hole stroke play event with no cut, with the lowest score over the four rounds winning. Players accumulate points each tournament toward the individual season-long standings. The team competition combines each team member's score for every round of the tournament, and the team with the lowest team cumulative score after 72 holes wins. Teams also accumulate points each tournament toward their season-long standings.
Why is it named LIV Golf?
From its inception until 2025, LIV Golf tournaments were 54 holes. LIV is the Roman numeral for 54, signifying the number of holes the league originally played. Despite making the switch to 72 holes ahead of the 2026 season, LIV still goes by its original name.
When did LIV Golf form?
LIV Golf was founded in 2021, with the first tournament taking place in London on June 9, 2022.
Who are the most notable LIV Golf players?
Among the most recognizable faces in action:
What are the LIV Golf teams and who are their captains?
4Aces GC - Dustin Johnson
Cleeks Golf Club - Martin Kaymer
Crushers GC - Bryson DeChambeau
Fireballs GC - Sergio Garcia
HyFlyers GC - Phil Mickelson
Korean Golf Club - Byeong Hun An
Legion XIII - Jon Rahm
Majesticks GC - Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood
RangeGoats GC - Bubba Watson
Ripper GC - Cameron Smith
Smash GC - Talor Gooch
Southern Guards GC - Louis Oosthuizen
Torque GC - Joaquin Niemann
What are LIV Golf wild-card players?
Wild-card players are players who compete on the LIV Golf League but do not belong to a team. As of the 2026 season, there are five wild-card players: Yosuke Asaji, Björn Hellgren, Richard T. Lee, Miguel Tabuena and Scott Vincent. Anthony Kim started the 2026 season as a wild card before being signed by the 4 Aces GC ahead of LIV Golf Adelaide, which he eventually won.
How can players join LIV Golf?
Players can join LIV through a variety of avenues. The most common way players join LIV is by signing contracts with the league, often for large amounts of guaranteed money. Aside from that, players can earn spots on LIV through the International Series and the LIV Golf Promotions event. LIV awards two exemptions to the league for the two top players on the International Series, a group of elevated events sanctioned by the Asian Tour. Moreover, LIV Golf Promotions, a 72-hole stroke play event open to leading golf professionals and top amateurs, awards the top two finishers with a spot in the league for the upcoming season.
Is LIV Golf merging with the PGA Tour?
LIV signed a framework agreement in June 2023 to merge with the PGA Tour, but there has been no traction or developments as of February 2026. Rory McIIroy previously stated that the merger was unlikely.
Can players leave LIV Golf and return to the PGA Tour?
Players can leave LIV and return to the PGA Tour under certain conditions. When five-time major winner Brooks Koepka announced that he was parting ways with LIV at the end of 2025, the PGA Tour announced the returning member program, opening the way for a select few (including Koepka) to return immediately to the PGA Tour.
Does LIV Golf get OWGR points?
As of February 2026, LIV Golf does receive limited Official World Golf Ranking points. After years of debate and back-and-forth, the OWGR committee awarded LIV ranking points for only the top 10 players in each event. The winner of a LIV event will receive OWGR points similar to those of a PGA Tour alternate event field winner.
Who are past LIV Golf individual and team champions?
2025: Jon Rahm and Legion XIII
2024: Jon Rahm and Ripper GC
2023: Talor Gooch and Crushers GC
2022: Dustin Johnson and 4Aces GC
How much is the 2026 LIV Golf purse?
Each tournament holds a $30 million purse, with approximately $22 million being allocated toward the individual competition. The final event of the year, LIV Golf Michigan, features a $50 million purse.
For more golf updates, check out the ESPN hub page with scores, rankings, stats, standings and more.
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