Unexpected LIV Golf announcement prompts mixed reaction

Posted by author February 7, 2025 Golf

Golf fans are reacting the seismic announcement that LIV has agreed a deal with ITV to show live coverage and highlights of the 2025 season in the UK.

Coverage will begin for the second round of LIV’s curtain-raiser in Riyadh.

The news means 41 rounds of live golf will be shown across 14 tournaments on ITVX.

Selected highlights will be shown on ITV1 and ITV4, along with a weekly highlights show on ITV4.

It means LIV will be the only free-to-air golf in the UK.

Joaquin Niemann

Sergio Garcia

LIV Golf’s trophy

Jon Rahm

Joaquin Niemann

Sky Sports shows coverage of the PGA Tour, as well as the DP World Tour and TGL.

Niall Sloane, director of ITV Sport, said: “This is an exciting time for LIV Golf as we look ahead to the innovative 2025 season.

“This partnership delivers free-to-air coverage for fans in the UK and we are delighted to welcome LIV Golf to ITV Sport.”

Ron Wechsler, LIV Golf’s senior vice president of broadcast partnerships and programming strategy, said the partnership represents a major milestone.

He added: “With a premier sports broadcaster like ITV, we can ensure that more fans than ever will be able to access the excitement of the LIV Golf experience and connect with the world-class players, teams, and stories that make us a truly standalone global sports league.”

The news rounds off a hugely positive week for LIV.

On Wednesday, the United States Golf Association became the first major governing body to award a LIV player a starting berth in the U.S. Open based off their performance in the league.

The top player in LIV’s individual standings, who is not otherwise exempt, will get a place in the field at Oakmont over 12-15 June.

This number will increase to three in 2026.

Elsewhere, the top 10 players in LIV’s standings as of 7 April will also be exempt from local qualifying and instead go into the 36-hole shootout.

It is understood the R&A will announce something similar for LIV players to qualify directly into The Open.

Donald Trump with Patrick Reed

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour says they are closer to striking a deal with LIV’s backers – the Saudi PIF – after meeting with American president Donald Trump.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott met with Trump this week.

The Tour has been in protracted negotiations with the PIF since last June.

“We are grateful that his leadership has brought us closer to a final deal, paving the way for reunification of men’s professional golf,” said Monahan, Scott and Tiger Woods in a joint-statement.

LIV Golf launched in 2022 and, despite now boasting major champions on their roster such as Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Phil Mickelson on their roster, it remains to be seen just how successful it will prove to be.