Shower of cash as HK joins LIV Golf party

Michael Shum and agencies

Hong Kong will host Saudi-funded LIV Golf for the first time in March, with organizers investing around HK$500 million, Hong Kong Golf Club captain Andy Kwok Wing-leung said.

The announcement confirmed The Standard's report on October 4 that the club had agreed with the controversial LIV Golf, rival to the well-known PGA Tour, to organize a tournament at Fanling Golf Course from March 8 to 10.

"I am honored and thrilled that the tournament will take place in Hong Kong," Kwok told a press briefing hours after the announcement. "The tournament will be played in an innovative way, combining entertainment with sports, as there will be international singers performing after the it ends."

The LIV Golf tournament will have the highest prize money in Hong Kong ever, with a total of US$25 million (HK$200 million) up for grabs.

"Organizers are planning to inject around HK$500 million for the tournament's Hong Kong leg, which might be beneficial to the local economy and also attract tourists and golf enthusiasts to watch the competition," Kwok said.

The tournament also promises to be the most widely broadcast sports event held in Hong Kong, according to Kwok.

He also noted the momentum enjoyed by Hong Kong following the success of the golf team at the Hangzhou Asian Games, with Taichi Kho winning a historic individual gold medal and helping the men take bronze in the team event.

"I believe the government is already aware the sport is worth developing, and we will get their support," Kwok said. "We have maintained close contact with the government to discuss arrangements after reverting part of the Fanling golf course back to them."

Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the LIV Golf tournament will bring a "huge economic benefit."

"The tournament will help develop Hong Kong into a center for major international sports events," Ip said. "There will be a lot of golf stars as well as political and business leaders coming to Hong Kong by that time, therefore the tournament is extremely important in promoting Hong Kong."

Apart from Hong Kong, new legs added to the LIV Golf league calendar include Las Vegas, Houston and Nashville. Events will also take place in Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Singapore, Spain and Britain.

"Our goal has always been to create a worldwide league that inspires progress and attracts new fans to the sport that we love," LIV Golf commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said. "LIV Golf is stronger than ever and next season will accomplish that goal and more."

The schedule release came as merger talks continue between LIV's Saudi backers and the US PGA Tour over a framework agreement.

The PGA Tour Policy Board must approve any deal by the end of the year for the merger to be completed, as announced by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund that PGA officials in June.

Some LIV events are scheduled at the same time as PGA Tour signature events, a signal that golf's civil war could heat up next year if no merger deal is finalized.