LIV Golf is getting set to run its first promotion event – effectively LIV Tour Q-School – in Abu Dhabi next month, and the entry criteria had opened the door for several Irish hopefuls including members of the Walker Cup and Palmer Cup sides, but also Ryder and Presidents Cup players and a host of DP World and PGA Tour players.
Whilst most players have been coy about their potential interest, reports suggest that the PGA Tour will allow its members to compete in the event which would be a departure from the instant suspension stance that it had taken upon LIV’s arrival.
This mean that we may well see some familiar names competing, including those who had not previously been linked with a move.
With over $1.5 million in guaranteed prize money for any player who plays the full quota of 14 LIV events in 2024 – and with 31 LIV players making $4 million or more this year – interest will be high among the professionals who had not been approached with guaranteed contract offers from the Saudi-backed breakaway tour to date.
“Based on the information publicly available regarding the LIV Golf Promotion event, it is determined to be a qualifying event only and not a part of an unauthorized series. Therefore, the LIV Golf Promotion event is not categorized as an ‘Unauthorized Tournament,’” a tour spokesman said in a statement. “This classification is subject to change should the details of the event change.”
Although players will not be punished for competing in the qualifier, what would happen should they finish in the top three and take up LIV membership remains to be seen, but with negotiations continuing in the background surrounding the proposed merger, there may yet be a pathway for players to compete on two circuits in 2024, though any agreements being reached by the December 31 soft deadline look unlikely at this stage.
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