LIV Golf has never been anything other than unexpected.<\/p>\n
Since it launched itself at golf\u2019s docile status quo in early 2021, LIV has provided stories that have a remarkable capacity to shock and divide in a way no-one could have predicted.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at the timeline of golf\u2019s global circuit, tracing a route of disruption has rocked the world\u2019s most conservative sport.<\/p>\n
October 2021<\/p>\n
Greg Norman is appointed CEO of LIV, a mysterious entity but one claiming to have big aspirations, backed by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund (PIF).<\/p>\n
February 2022<\/p>\n
The writer Alan Shipnuck reveals that Phil Mickelson told him that the Saudi\u2019s are \u201cscary motherf***kers\u201d who he plans to use as leverage in his ongoing dispute with the PGA Tour. The incident leaves Mickelson out in the cold.<\/p>\n
May 2022<\/p>\n
At The Centurion Club near London Greg Norman heads a press conference to reveal LIV Golf. Norman, whose previous attempt to start an alternative to the PGA Tour had been repelled in the 90s, was up for the fight and is not scared of PGA Tour threats. \u201cThis time it\u2019s different,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019ve got $2 billion backing us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The biggest headlines, however, are made when he is asked about Saudi government\u2019s sanctioning of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, as judged by the CIA. \u201cWe\u2019ve all made mistakes,\u201d Norman says.<\/p>\n
June 2022<\/p>\n
The first event \u2013 LIV London. As the players tee off a missive from the PGA Tour CEO Jay Monahan drops: anyone who played without release is banned. Shipnuck is ejected from a press conference by security staff. He messages Norman who says he know nothing about it.<\/p>\n
Photographs of the ejection then show Norman stood behind Shipnuck, staring at him throughout the ejection. Charl Schwartzel wins the tournament.<\/p>\n
July 2022<\/p>\n
A DP World Tour ban on players is suspended until a Sports Resolutions hearing in February 2023. The same month Greg Norman is not invited to the 150th Open and when the champion, Cameron Smith, wins it he is not happy that he is asked about the rumours that he is joining LIV.<\/p>\n
Six weeks later he joins LIV. Henrik Stenson also joins LIV, losing the Ryder Cup captaincy.<\/p>\n
August 2022<\/p>\n
11 PGA Tour players file an antitrust law suits against the PGA Tour.<\/p>\n
October 2022<\/p>\n
LIV has been unable to get world ranking points. They now try to join with the third tier MENA Tour but the ploy is rebuffed. The same month the PGA Tour files a law suit against PIF.<\/p>\n
December 2022<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy argues that Norman needs to leave his role so that there is an, \u201cadult in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n
February 2023<\/p>\n
The PGA Tour and LIV have spent the winter fighting through the courts, filing law suits, but both are desperate to avoid any form of disclosure. They both have information they don\u2019t want in the public domain.<\/p>\n
April 2023<\/p>\n
The DP World Tour wins its arbitration case against LIV. It can fine and ban players. Days later Brooks Koepka and Mickelson finish T2 in the Masters.<\/p>\n
June 2023<\/p>\n
The maddest bombshell of them all. It is suddenly announced that representatives of the PGA Tour and LIV have been in secret negotiations. A \u201cframework agreement\u201d between PIF, the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour has been set up.<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy looks to have been marginalised and Jay Monahan is shouted down at a PGA Tour player meeting. He later takes time away from office because of stress related issues.<\/p>\n
October 2023<\/p>\n
LIV yet again fails to get world rankings points.<\/p>\n
December 2023<\/p>\n
Jon Rahm had always been dubious about LIV\u2019s 54-hole, no cut, shot gun start format. He also talked of the importance of history and legacy, which only the traditional tours could provide. In December he announces he is joining LIV. Tyrrell Hatton soon joins him.<\/p>\n
January 2024<\/p>\n
Anthony Kim joins LIV, plucked from obscurity.<\/p>\n
March 2024<\/p>\n
LIV withdraws its application for world rankings points.<\/p>\n
January 2025<\/p>\n
Scott O\u2019Neil replaces Norman as LIV CEO.<\/p>\n
February 2025<\/p>\n
PGA and LIV representatives meet Donald Trump in the White House.<\/p>\n
July 2025<\/p>\n
LIV reapplies for world ranking points.<\/p>\n
November 2025<\/p>\n
LIV backtracks and announces its events will be played over 72 holes.<\/p>\n
December 2025<\/p>\n
Brooks Koepka leaves LIV and in January Patrick Reed follows him.<\/p>\n
February 2026<\/p>\n
Kim wins LIV Adelaide amid crazy scenes. Rahm also rejects a DP World Tour proposal that would have allowed his dispute with them to end and shutdown the threat of him not playing in the 2027 Ryder Cup. LIV earns world ranking points.<\/p>\n
April 2026<\/p>\n
Unnamed sources suggest that PIF is to end its involvement in LIV. O\u2019Neil emails employees arguing otherwise but among the final lines are the words: \u201cYou mattered.\u201d<\/p>\n
The broadcast at LIV Mexico briefly goes down. Bryson DeChambeau cuts a disgruntled figure on the course and withdraws ahead of the final round. O\u2019Neil tells TNT Sports that: \u201cThe reality is you\u2019re funded through the season, and then you work like crazy as a business to create a business and a business plan to keep us going.\u201d<\/p>\n
This line is then deleted from TNT Sports coverage.<\/p>\n