LIV Golf UK gets underway at JCB Golf and Country Club on Friday – and tickets have been snapped up, much to the delight of the event’s organisers.
Ahead of Friday’s first round, all ground pass tickets have sold out, with just a handful of hospitality spots now available.
2024 has been largely successful for Greg Norman’s venture, with events in Andalucia, Nashville and Adelaide proving extremely popular.
LIV’s players have also expressed delight at the season’s progress. Bryson DeChambeau claimed the schedule was a major factor in his US Open win at Pinehurst No.2.
Phil Mickelson also suggested the Andalucia event was the perfect preparation for The Open, which took place last week at Royal Troon.
LIV Golf could have made a mistake after JCB’s success
LIV currently spends most of its time either in the Middle East and the Far East or in America.
There are only two European events, taking place in Spain and the UK. And given how popular the UK stop has proven to be, it feels like the league has missed a trick.
The UK is arguably the second-biggest golfing nation behind America and probably deserving of another stop on LIV’s schedule.
And, considering how fast JCB sold out, another event would’ve no doubt garnered the same interest.
LIV Golf must consider UK links stop next year
With The Open Championship now a July fixture, LIV should perhaps consider a links-style competition so their elite players can prepare adequately for the final major of the year.
Perhaps moving the Andalucia stop back by one or two weeks and ditching an American event could be the move.
There’s no doubting the clamour for golf stateside, but seven events being held on US soil does feel a bit over the top, especially when LIV is attempting to compete with the PGA Tour, which is still the dominant force.
As Norman’s venture grows, intelligent business decisions must be made and adding a links stop in the UK feels like an excellent move for both the players and fans.
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