Former Open Champion Criticizes LIV Golf, Calls it “Unwatchable”

Three-time major champion Nick Price has launched a scathing attack on LIV Golf, the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour, asserting that it will continue to struggle in attracting fans.

Former PGA Tour star Nick Price has expressed his disdain for LIV Golf, suggesting that the breakaway tour, funded by Saudi Arabia, is failing to captivate audiences.

LIV Golf, now in its third season, has drawn top stars from the PGA Tour, including current Masters champion Jon Rahm and 2022 Open winner Cameron Smith. However, Price, 67, believes that commissioner Greg Norman and the financial backers behind LIV Golf have failed to create a compelling product.

While LIV tournaments feature a unique 54-hole format and incorporate a team element, Price, a three-time major champion, remains unconvinced.

In a recent interview with the Bunkered podcast, Price remarked, “Like everyone else, I don’t know what the end game is. The way the game is fragmented, nobody likes it. I’ve tried to watch LIV, but I don’t think the product they have is very good. I don’t know why they tried to reinvent the wheel.”

Price drew parallels to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket, suggesting that LIV Golf may have been influenced by its franchise-based model. However, he remains critical of LIV Golf’s current offering, stating, “Right now, I don’t think the product they’ve got is something people will rush to their TV to watch, and it’s sad because they have so many great players.”

Despite boasting star players such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson Dechambeau, LIV Golf’s viewership pales in comparison to the PGA Tour. In 2023, the PGA Tour generated over £400 million in TV revenue, while LIV Golf’s estimated earnings stood at just £2.4 million.