LIV Golf wants to enter the Super Bowl celebration in Las Vegas
LIV Golf has ambitious plans to make a splash at the Super Bowl event in two weeks, marking its inaugural American stop of the season in a bid to enhance its presence in the U.S. Financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and featuring an unconventional team format, LIV Golf has faced some skepticism from American golf enthusiasts. Despite this, Bryson DeChambeau is optimistic about the synergy between Las Vegas and LIV Golf, considering it an ideal match.
Promoted as “Golf, but louder,” the event at the Las Vegas Country Club from February 8-10 promises an atmosphere of intense partying and a nightclub vibe. The Birdie Shack, an open-air area overlooking the eighth tee box, is designated for the most enthusiastic revelers, with a prime spot for the “loudest of the loud.”
The Party Hole cabanas, already sold out for Saturday’s final round, provide an all-inclusive bar experience, likened to having a VIP booth in the trendiest section of a club.
Bryson DeChambeau, serving as the captain of the Crushers, expressed enthusiasm during a Thursday conference call previewing the event. He sees the Super Bowl week as an excellent opportunity to showcase LIV Golf’s product and the talent within the league. DeChambeau anticipates a spectacular event and is eager to gauge the response, emphasizing the need for increased visibility of LIV Golf in the United States.
Not a Concern
Regardless of which teams reach the championship game on February 11, the competition between DeChambeau’s Crushers and Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers will not pose a threat to the NFL showcase. However, LIV Golf is not the only sports entity aiming to capitalize on the Super Bowl momentum.
The UFC is set to host an event on the eve of the Super Bowl, and Formula One’s Alpha Tauri team has scheduled its 2024 car unveiling on the Strip during that week.
While this marks LIV’s inaugural event in Las Vegas, it’s likely not the last, as the tour follows the trend of various sports, ranging from the National Basketball Association to curling and pickleball, aiming to be part of the Sin City excitement.
The LIV Golf calendar for this year includes 14 stops, with six taking place in the United States, emphasizing the significance of the American market. Notably, the Las Vegas Country Club, which hosted the PGA Tour’s first $1 million purse in 1993, will once again be the venue for LIV, offering a total prize money pool of $25 million—three decades after that historic PGA event.
“It’s fantastic for Vegas to welcome more sports into its market. I believe the city will only thrive,” expressed DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion.
“Vegas, with its rich tradition and history of casinos and gambling, adds an intriguing element for LIV Golf as we delve deeper into that aspect. I’m looking forward to the time when we can introduce betting on each hole, including closest to the pin and longest drive. That’s what LIV Golf aims to bring, and Las Vegas provides the ideal setting for it.”
As one of the early adopters of the rebel circuit, DeChambeau expressed his anticipation of returning to compete in PGA Tour events. He believes that ongoing discussions about an agreement could bring together the PGA Tour, DP Tour, and LIV Golf.
“I’m optimistic that I’ll participate in those events again,” DeChambeau stated. “I expect the deal to materialize sooner than anticipated. It might not be in the next couple of weeks, perhaps within a month or so, but it’s inevitable. Fans are eager for us to reunite, and I eagerly await that day.”