LIV Golf have missed major opportunity due to what’s happening on the PGA Tour this week

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

It’s been a tumultuous few weeks for LIV Golf.

First, the Saudi Public Investment Fund announced it is withdrawing funding at the end of this season, giving LIV only months to secure new investment and keep the tour alive.

Then reports emerged that Bryson DeChambeau spoke with PGA Tour officials at The Masters about a possible return. The two-time major winner was furious with the course conditions in Mexico and withdrew from the tournament early with a wrist injury.

But this week, they had an opportunity to steal back some ground on the PGA Tour, but instead, they blew it.

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

LIV Golf wasted an opportunity by not having an event this week

This week on the PGA Tour is the Zurich Classic, a team event that hasn’t exactly captured the imagination of the golfing world. Only three star names are teeing off in New Orleans, Shane Lowry, Brooks Koepka, and Matt Fitzpatrick, so it’s a massive comedown from the RBC Heritage last week.

So why on earth are LIV Golf not playing? This was a massive opportunity for LIV to dominate the golfing landscape with an event, drawing eyes away from an unpopular PGA Tour event.

Instead, they played in Mexico last week, going up against one of the most-watched Signature Events of the PGA Tour season in the RBC Heritage. Matt Fitzpatrick’s playoff win over Scottie Scheffler drew over four million viewers.

Meanwhile, LIV’s peak viewership during their Mexico event was 396,000. That’s great compared to their usual standard but nothing compared to their rivals on the PGA Tour.

This week, LIV could have stolen center stage. Instead, it’s waiting in the wings.

LIV Golf’s next tournament clashes with another PGA Tour Signature Event