What is LIV Golf? Controversial tour explained ahead of The Open Championship 2023

The golfing world was shook to the core in 2021 after the announcement of a breakaway tour to change the face of the sport forever.

Formally launched in October 2021, LIV Golf has been likened to the European Super League project that football's elite failed to get off the ground. A closed shop for those competing in the competition, financial gain is viewed as the driving force behind the idea.

Plenty of players jumped at the opportunity to participate in LIV Golf, though some of the sport's biggest names have remained loyal to the PGA and European Tour after refusing to jump ship.

Below is an overview of LIV Golf, explaining how it came about to begin with, the impact it has had to date and what the future holds for the competition.

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A breakaway golf league, founded by two-time major winner and former world number one Greg Norman.

LIV Golf is financed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, who also own an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle United.

The name 'LIV golf' derives from 'LIV' being the Roman numeral for 54, which is the number of holes played at each LIV event. It makes reference to the lowest score you could post were you to birdie every hole on a par-72 course.

At each LIV Golf event, 48 players face off against one another in an individual tournament played over 54 holes. Individuals, while competing for top spot, are also split into 12 teams of four and have the opportunity to earn additional capital through this method.

Eight events were staged during its