LIV golf: What do the initials of Saudi Arabia-backed professional tour mean?
So what does LIV mean anyway?
The controversial breakout professional golf league run by CEO Greg Norman, financed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and offering outrageous purses is called LIV.
It is pronounced liv, as in "live free," and is not an acronym.
The name was created for two reasons:
In Roman numerals, LIV is 54. Each of LIV's events are 54 holes. Also, if a golfer birdies every hole on a par-72 course the score is 54.
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And if that unlikely score (or lower) ever is carded during one of its events, LIV is offering a $54 million bonus. And even though LIV is receiving $250 million from Saudi's PIF and the money appears to be limitless, no need to worry about writing an additional $54 million check.
The lowest round in competitive professional golf ever recorded is a 58, of which five are recognized. However, just one was made on the PGA Tour: Jim Furyk at the 2016 Travelers Championship.
The lowest round recognized by the Guinness World Records is a 55 by Rhein Gibson on May 12, 2012, at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. The round included 12 birdies and two eagles on a par 71.
LIV Golf's first event in the United States is outside of Portland
The lowest round at LIV's inaugural event outside of London was a 65, which was carded twice: By winner Charl Schwartzel of Palm Beach Gardens in the first round and Branden Grace of Tequesta in the third (final) round.
LIV's second event and first in the United States starts Thursday at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club outside of Portland.
Among LIV's biggest names: Phil Mickelson's low round is a 59 in 2004 at Poipu Bay Golf Course in Hawaii. Bryson DeChambeau's is a 60 at the 2001 BMW Championship. Jupiter's Dustin Johnson's is a 61 at the 2020 Travelers Championship. Jupiter's Brooks Koepka's is a 62 at the 2020 St. Jude Invitational and the 2017 Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Where is LIV golf headquarters and offices?
Norman did not have to reach far to recruit Koepka, or any of the other area players who have joined the series. Not that it really matters.
LIV Golf Investments' offices are located in West Palm Beach. Norman, who has a home in Palm Beach Gardens, is the first and founding CEO of LIV. LIV is offering purses of $25 million for the first seven events and $50 million for the series finale Oct. 27-30 at Trump National in Doral.
The company's LinkedIn page reads:
"LIV Golf Investments is a newly formed company, with group companies in the USA and UK, with Asian offices to follow. Its remit is to holistically improve the health of professional golf on a truly global scale and support existing stakeholders to help unlock the sports’ untapped potential."
How to watch LIV Golf Tour
TV: LIV Golf has no broadcast deals. Stream on LIVGolf.com, LIV Golf's YouTube channel and LIV Golf's Facebook page.
Tom D'Angelo is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is the LIV tour? What does LIV stand for in golf league's name?
