LIV Golf STOLE Mayakoba Resort from the PGA Tour as the Mexican course became the first venue to deviate from the Saudi-backed series’ to begin its second season with Valderrama also participating.
LIV Golf will open its second season at El Camaleon in Mayakoba, Mexico at the end of February before jetting off to Australia, Singapore and Spain.
The Mexican resort is the latest to jump ship from the PGA Tour as the Saudi-backed breakaway once again rides to wrest a valuable asset from Jay Monahan and Co.
The PGA Tour made its 16th trip to El Camaleon Golf Club south of Cancun earlier this month but this will be its last.
LIV Golf has announced four new venues for its second season, featuring 14 events
El Camaleon Golf Club, which hosts the PGA Tour’s WWT event, will open the season
The rebel tour has now stolen the venue, which hosts the World Wide Technologies Championship, confirming on Wednesday that it will be the site of its season opener on February 24-26, 2023.
It was the first golf course to cut the PGA Tour in favor of joining the upstart circuit.
The series stole two of the game’s most prominent Mexican stars from its roster, including Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz.
LIV Golf also announced new venues for three new events with the series heading to The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia from April 21-23, The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore from April 28- 30 and Real Club Valderrama in Spain from June 30-July 2.
The PGA Tour has visited the Mexican resort 16 times, most recently won by Russel Henley
The Mayakoba Resort course is known for its famous cave bunker on the seventh hole
Grange Golf Club was the site of LIV CEO Greg Norman’s first professional victory at the West Lakes Classic in 1976.
LIV also has a trio of Australian players on board, notably boasting reigning British Open champion Cam Smith, along with Marc Leishman and Matt Jones.
Meanwhile, Valderrama carries a lot of prestige, having been the site of the 1997 Ryder Cup, in addition to two editions of the World Golf Championships (1999 and 2000), the long-standing Volvo Masters (1988-2009), and recently. year, the Andalucia Masters, one of the most prestigious tournaments in Spain.
LIV defectors Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia both won the course.
The Spanish course, Valderrama, which hosts the Andalucia Masters, will also join the series
LIV CEO Greg Norman said the new venues demonstrated the series’ intent to play at a high level.
The 22-year-old Spanish prodigy, Eugenio Chacarra, winner of the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok and former world No. 2 amateurs will be welcomed by locals in Sotogrande.
Speaking on the new venues, Norman said: ‘LIV Golf is truly a global league committed to expanding the sport around the world, and these destinations for the league’s launch in 2023 demonstrate our commitment to the game in the tournament at the highest level.
‘These venues have played host to signature moments in golf, and we’re excited to build new traditions for the sport while delivering a first-class fan experience on some of the best courses in the world.’
The controversial series returns for an expanded season where players compete in 14 events in simultaneous team and individual play with $405million in prize purses and the chance for promotions and relegation.
