It was the moment that everyone connected with LIV had been waiting for, two of their best, two of the best players in the world were headed for a showdown as Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm were headed for a a playoff to decide the outcome of LIV Greenbriar.
Able to avenge his defeat from last year’s Masters, it was Koepka who got the better of his rival and with it claimed second LIV title of the season and his fifth overall.
When the concept of LIV was conceived, it was done with the hope that the very best players in the world would lock horns to battle it out for their titles and on Sunday that’s what we got. With both Rahm and Koepka going toe to toe, the action was exciting and whether you are Team LIV or Team PGA, the two’s epic showdown was exactly what fans of the game wanted to see.
Now in their third season, this has been by far LIV’s most impactful. With crowds growing and the energy surrounding the tournaments at an all time high, not only has LIV arrived, but there is a real sense that it has really only just begun.
For the first time in its controversial history there is real positive momentum behind the breakaway tour and Greg Norman and Co won’t want to let it go. With so many factors pushing LIV to new heights, here are just some of the reasons why LIV finally seems to have arrived.
Crowds and attendances are up
One of the main problems that LIV has enjoyed in its early years is trying to get people through the door to watch it. Still without a major TV deal and still unable in some areas to breakthrough into the sporting mainstream, there have been occasions where the crowds still seem sparse, but on the whole, overall attendances have massively improved.
The most obvious example of this is LIV’s Adelaide event. The flag bearer when it comes to what LIV is all about, the Adelaide event certainly lives up to LIV’s motto that it’s golf but louder.
Just as they did last year, thousands lined the fairways at Adelaide this year, bringing an energy and younger vibe that the PGA Tour simply can’t match.
LIV’s first tournament at the JCB Golf and Country Club for its UK event also yielded similar results, with many turning out to watch some of the best players in the world.
LIV’s first tournament in Nashville was also a success.
For the first time, people seem to be buying into LIV’s format and overall concept. With Norman always on the hunt for taking LIV into bigger cities, there will be high hopes that 2024 will see every tournament well attended.
The Rahm deal is slowly working
Rewind a year and the sporting world was reeling with LIV able to capture the signature of one of the best players in the world.
Whilst LIV has proven to be a happy hunting ground for players who may be past their best, that argument can’t be directed at Rahm.
At the very peak of his powers, Rahm is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and the impact of him leaving still continues to shake the golfing world right to its foundations.
For the PGA Tour there must be a constant worry that the best players will follow Rahm’s lead in the search for something new. Both Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele continue to be linked with a move and with Schauffele now guaranteed to be in every major for at least the next five years due to his PGA and Open Championship victories, there probably hasn’t been a better time for the Californian to explore a move.
The DP World Tour, who has been LIV’s most harsh critic, has also had to soften its views. Due to his switch to LIV, it is difficult for Rahm to qualify outright for next year’s Ryder Cup, however a change of the rules which have been made with the Spaniard in mind should mean that Rahm should be teeing it up at Bethpage Black next September.
For Rahm himself he is doing everything that would have been asked of him. The leader of the individual standings with just a few tournaments left to play, Rahm has a great chance of ending the season as the Tour’s best player.
A constant feature in and around the top of the leaderboards, Rahm has helped create a new energy that has had to bring the best out of his rivals. If LIV is to eventually supplant the PGA Tour as the number one force in the game, its success can be accredited back to Rahm deciding to join.
Storylines have been created
One area which has helped LIV attract attention this season has been their ability to create storylines. Take last week’s tournament at Greenbriar, two of the best players in golf were battling it out shot for shot, but in amongst them was Richard Bland. One of the oldest players within LIV, Bland was able to hang in there with the best and although he would fall just short of victory, his involvement was brilliant to see.
Sergio Garcia being able to win his first LIV event in front of his home fans in Spain was another brilliant storyline to emerge as was Tyrell Hatton’s dramatic victory in Nashville.
There have been several events which have had to be settled via a playoff and it seems that the 54 hole format does really lend itself for the action to go right down to the wire.
Every week something seems to be happening and it is causing LIV to be able to break through to the sporting masses.
The final few weeks of the season will be epic, not only will the teams be battling it out for glory, but the individual standings and race to avoid the drop will go down to the final tournament.
There is still plenty to play for and the LIV hierarchy will want to ensure that they cash in on it.
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
