I went to the first ever tournament of LIV Golf, the breakaway Saudi-backed tour offering players hundreds of millions to compete. Here's what it was like.

Will MartinJun 14, 2022, 21:37 IST

LIV Golf began with much fanfare on June 9.Will Martin/Insider

LIV Golf, a Saudi-backed breakaway tour, is sending shockwaves through the world of golf.
I went to its opening tournament in Hertfordshire, England to see what the LIV could offer fans.

LIV Golf has upended the world of golf, poaching some of the sport's biggest names with the promise of huge amounts of money, more relaxed scheduling, and guaranteed prizes. The Saudi-backed tour started on June 9 at Centurion Club, a swanky private club near the town of Hemel Hempstead, around 20 miles from London.

Entering through the woods was a lovely experience.Will Martin/Insider

LIV Golf has upended the world of golf, poaching some of the sport's biggest names with the promise of huge amounts of money, more relaxed scheduling, and guaranteed prizes. The Saudi-backed tour started on June 9 at Centurion Club, a swanky private club near the town of Hemel Hempstead, around 20 miles from London.

Getting to the venue was relatively straightforward, provided you have a car. Parking was provided at a large show-ground roughly 15 minutes away from the course. Buses then ferried fans to Centurion every few minutes.

The parking lot at LIV Golf's London eventInsider/Will Martin

Getting to the venue was relatively straightforward, provided you have a car. Parking was provided at a large show-ground roughly 15 minutes away from the course. Buses then ferried fans to Centurion every few minutes.

The whole process was extremely smooth, although the amount of signage telling fans that they were headed to a tournament being billed as a golfing revolution was minimal.

This was basically it for signage in the parking lot.Will Martin/Insider

The whole process was extremely smooth, although the amount of signage telling fans that they were headed to a tournament being billed as a golfing revolution was minimal.

As myself and a bus full of other fans made our way to the course, we were treated to some tunes to get us in the mood, with Ja Rule and Adele featuring heavily.

Buses seemed to have come from a variety of local providers.Will Martin/Insider

Arriving at Centurion, it was a short walk from the bus to the entrance.

Arriving at the event had the feel of arriving at a festival.Will Martin/Insider

The walk into the course took me across the first hole, before being spat out into The Village, the tournament's hub of food, drink, and entertainment.

LIV signage was plentiful.Will Martin/Insider

The area is evidently used as a practice ground most of the time, with deck chairs whimsically set up in bunkers for weary guests to rest their legs.

Fans were taking a load off as they waited for Friday's action to get going.Will Martin/Insider

Food and drink at LIV Golf's inaugural event was provided by Kerb, a London-based street food market provider.

Queues for food were minimal compared to what I've experienced elsewhere.Will Martin/Insider

Along with gourmet food and drink, there were lots of ways to stay entertained before play started. Fans could play an array of video games, enjoy some mini golf, or attempt to win a vacation to Miami by sinking a 100-foot putt.

Mini golf was just one of a number of activities available in the Village.Will Martin/Insider

Along with gourmet food and drink, there were lots of ways to stay entertained before play started. Fans could play an array of video games, enjoy some mini golf, or attempt to win a vacation to Miami by sinking a 100-foot putt.

One striking feature of LIV, as compared to all other elite sports events I've attended in the past, was the almost complete lack of advertising and sponsorship presence. LIV Golf's slogans and branding were everywhere, but besides a couple of small banners, I saw no advertising at all.

Not a sponsor in sight.Will Martin/Insider

One striking feature of LIV, as compared to all other elite sports events I've attended in the past, was the almost complete lack of advertising and sponsorship presence. LIV Golf's slogans and branding were everywhere, but besides a couple of small banners, I saw no advertising at all.

After exploring the village for a little while, I strolled over to the player practice areas to watch the pros warm up.

Ian Poulter seemed relaxed, listening to music and chatting to fellow pros.Will Martin/Insider

Outside Club 54, the VIP area named for LIV's 54-hole format, I spied a couple of famous faces — YouTubers Josh Pieters and Calfreezy, a member of the Sidemen.

Tickets for Club 54 were several hundred dollars, but provided fans with unprecedented views of the practice ground and the 18th green.Will Martin/Insider

With the start of play fast approaching, I took a pre-round trip to the bathroom, which was one of the weak spots of the whole day. There was clearly a plumbing issue of some sort as the ground near the men's restrooms was like a bog, which was gross — to say the least.

It's hard to see but the whole area was soaked.Will Martin/Insider

With the start of play fast approaching, I took a pre-round trip to the bathroom, which was one of the weak spots of the whole day. There was clearly a plumbing issue of some sort as the ground near the men's restrooms was like a bog, which was gross — to say the least.

Gross bathroom trip done, it was time for some golf.

20 minutes before play the tee was already heaving with fans.Will Martin/Insider

Horsfield and Mickelson, along with many other players, were ferried to the tee in LIV branded London Black Cabs, though Johnson chose to walk leaving one of the three cabs on the third hole empty.

This all felt a little cheesy.Will Martin/Insider

Horsfield and Mickelson, along with many other players, were ferried to the tee in LIV branded London Black Cabs, though Johnson chose to walk leaving one of the three cabs on the third hole empty.

After teeing off, Mickelson and Johnson were joined by Greg Norman, the Australian two-time major winner and the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, the Saudi-backed company behind the tour. Norman walked up the fairway with the pair, laughing and joking.

Norman caused controversy ahead of the launch of LIV Golf by saying "everybody makes mistakes," when asked about the Saudi state-sponsored killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Will Martin/Insider

After teeing off, Mickelson and Johnson were joined by Greg Norman, the Australian two-time major winner and the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, the Saudi-backed company behind the tour. Norman walked up the fairway with the pair, laughing and joking.

After following Mickelson and Johnson for a few holes, I decided to explore a bit more of the rolling hills of Centurion, eventually stumbling on a group including two of LIV's other major tournament winners — Germany's Martin Kaymer and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.

Graeme McDowell became the first European in 40 years to win the US Open in 2011.Will Martin/Insider

After following Mickelson and Johnson for a few holes, I decided to explore a bit more of the rolling hills of Centurion, eventually stumbling on a group including two of LIV's other major tournament winners — Germany's Martin Kaymer and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.

Unlike the Mickelson-Johnson group, there was barely anyone following the pair, who were grouped with amateur David Puig. This was something I noticed frequently during my time at the tournament: While there were lots of people at the event, most of the them were watching the two American stars.

Barely a soul in sight.Will Martin/Insider

Unlike the Mickelson-Johnson group, there was barely anyone following the pair, who were grouped with amateur David Puig. This was something I noticed frequently during my time at the tournament: While there were lots of people at the event, most of the them were watching the two American stars.

This meant I could get within feet of players like 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia. Even a group including two of Britain's biggest golfing names, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, had a relatively sparse following.

Poulter's trousers, as ever, stole the show.Will Martin/Insider

This meant I could get within feet of players like 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia. Even a group including two of Britain's biggest golfing names, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, had a relatively sparse following.

According to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, ticket sales for the opening LIV event were slow, and organizers wanted around 10,000 fans per day in attendance. By contrast, around 40,000 fans per day attended the Masters at Augusta in April.

Centurion Club looked glorious in the early June sunshine.Will Martin/Insider

According to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, ticket sales for the opening LIV event were slow, and organizers wanted around 10,000 fans per day in attendance. By contrast, around 40,000 fans per day attended the Masters at Augusta in April.

The lack of fans was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was great to watch some of the world's best golfers in relative quiet, but on the other, there was virtually no atmosphere on the course, giving it the feeling of an exhibition event, rather than a high-level, hard-fought tournament.

The closest I got to Phil Mickelson all day.Will Martin/Insider

The lack of fans was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was great to watch some of the world's best golfers in relative quiet, but on the other, there was virtually no atmosphere on the course, giving it the feeling of an exhibition event, rather than a high-level, hard-fought tournament.

That was very different to other big golf tournaments I've attended, like the Open Championship, where it felt like fans were vociferously rooting for everyone on the course.

Someone was paid a lot of money to come up with this slogan.Will Martin/Insider

That was very different to other big golf tournaments I've attended, like the Open Championship, where it felt like fans were vociferously rooting for everyone on the course.

Part of this may be to due to the fact that outside the likes of Mickelson, Johnson, Westwood and Garcia, there are few household names in the field, giving fans fewer familiar faces to cheer.

Even a major champion like Sergio Garcia was only followed by a handful of spectators.Will Martin/Insider

Part of this may be to due to the fact that outside the likes of Mickelson, Johnson, Westwood and Garcia, there are few household names in the field, giving fans fewer familiar faces to cheer.

After spending a couple of hours on the course watching some of LIV's bigger names, I decided to head back toward the central area of the event, taking in the excellent view from an elevated terrace behind the 18th green.

Probably the best view on the course.Will Martin/Insider

After spending a couple of hours on the course watching some of LIV's bigger names, I decided to head back toward the central area of the event, taking in the excellent view from an elevated terrace behind the 18th green.

At most golf tournaments, the 18th is one of the most-coveted spots from which to watch the action as most players end their rounds there.

Club 54 ticket holders had the best seats in the house on 18.Will Martin/Insider

One of the biggest issues I saw at the LIV event was that tracking the action as a fan was pretty difficult.

One of only a handful of scoreboards I noticed on the course.Will Martin/Insider

The staff were fantastic. Volunteers I spoke to were generally golf enthusiasts from the local area, and were extremely friendly and helpful.

Swathes of the course were completely empty.Will Martin/Insider

LIV has positioned itself as a series to act as an evolution of golf, with the aim of, in its own words, "reaching new fans across the world." There was little evidence at Centurion of that being a success just yet.

Golf has long looked to move away from its traditional fanbase.Will Martin/Insider

LIV has positioned itself as a series to act as an evolution of golf, with the aim of, in its own words, "reaching new fans across the world." There was little evidence at Centurion of that being a success just yet.

As the day's play wound down and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel extended his lead in the tournament, I headed home, knowing I had at least a two-hour journey to get home.

Early 2000s British icon Craig David performed on Friday evening.John Phillips/LIV Golf/Getty Images

As the day's play wound down and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel extended his lead in the tournament, I headed home, knowing I had at least a two-hour journey to get home.

Overall, the LIV Golf event at Centurion was a pretty great day out, though the format of the tournament was somewhat confusing for a spectator.

A day out at the golf is a tiring affair.Will Martin/Insider

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I went to the first ever tournament of LIV Golf, the breakaway Saudi-backed tour offering players hundreds of millions to compete. Here's what it was like.

Getting to the venue was relatively straightforward, provided you have a car. Parking was provided at a large show-ground roughly 15 minutes away from the course. Buses then ferried fans to Centurion every few minutes.

The whole process was extremely smooth, although the amount of signage telling fans that they were headed to a tournament being billed as a golfing revolution was minimal.

As myself and a bus full of other fans made our way to the course, we were treated to some tunes to get us in the mood, with Ja Rule and Adele featuring heavily.

Arriving at Centurion, it was a short walk from the bus to the entrance.

The walk into the course took me across the first hole, before being spat out into The Village, the tournament's hub of food, drink, and entertainment.

The area is evidently used as a practice ground most of the time, with deck chairs whimsically set up in bunkers for weary guests to rest their legs.

Food and drink at LIV Golf's inaugural event was provided by Kerb, a London-based street food market provider.

Along with gourmet food and drink, there were lots of ways to stay entertained before play started. Fans could play an array of video games, enjoy some mini golf, or attempt to win a vacation to Miami by sinking a 100-foot putt.

One striking feature of LIV, as compared to all other elite sports events I've attended in the past, was the almost complete lack of advertising and sponsorship presence. LIV Golf's slogans and branding were everywhere, but besides a couple of small banners, I saw no advertising at all.

After exploring the village for a little while, I strolled over to the player practice areas to watch the pros warm up.

Outside Club 54, the VIP area named for LIV's 54-hole format, I spied a couple of famous faces — YouTubers Josh Pieters and Calfreezy, a member of the Sidemen.

With the start of play fast approaching, I took a pre-round trip to the bathroom, which was one of the weak spots of the whole day. There was clearly a plumbing issue of some sort as the ground near the men's restrooms was like a bog, which was gross — to say the least.

Gross bathroom trip done, it was time for some golf.

Horsfield and Mickelson, along with many other players, were ferried to the tee in LIV branded London Black Cabs, though Johnson chose to walk leaving one of the three cabs on the third hole empty.

After teeing off, Mickelson and Johnson were joined by Greg Norman, the Australian two-time major winner and the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, the Saudi-backed company behind the tour. Norman walked up the fairway with the pair, laughing and joking.

After following Mickelson and Johnson for a few holes, I decided to explore a bit more of the rolling hills of Centurion, eventually stumbling on a group including two of LIV's other major tournament winners — Germany's Martin Kaymer and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.

Unlike the Mickelson-Johnson group, there was barely anyone following the pair, who were grouped with amateur David Puig. This was something I noticed frequently during my time at the tournament: While there were lots of people at the event, most of the them were watching the two American stars.

This meant I could get within feet of players like 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia. Even a group including two of Britain's biggest golfing names, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, had a relatively sparse following.

According to British newspaper the Daily Telegraph, ticket sales for the opening LIV event were slow, and organizers wanted around 10,000 fans per day in attendance. By contrast, around 40,000 fans per day attended the Masters at Augusta in April.

The lack of fans was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was great to watch some of the world's best golfers in relative quiet, but on the other, there was virtually no atmosphere on the course, giving it the feeling of an exhibition event, rather than a high-level, hard-fought tournament.

That was very different to other big golf tournaments I've attended, like the Open Championship, where it felt like fans were vociferously rooting for everyone on the course.

Part of this may be to due to the fact that outside the likes of Mickelson, Johnson, Westwood and Garcia, there are few household names in the field, giving fans fewer familiar faces to cheer.

After spending a couple of hours on the course watching some of LIV's bigger names, I decided to head back toward the central area of the event, taking in the excellent view from an elevated terrace behind the 18th green.

At most golf tournaments, the 18th is one of the most-coveted spots from which to watch the action as most players end their rounds there.

One of the biggest issues I saw at the LIV event was that tracking the action as a fan was pretty difficult.

The staff were fantastic. Volunteers I spoke to were generally golf enthusiasts from the local area, and were extremely friendly and helpful.

LIV has positioned itself as a series to act as an evolution of golf, with the aim of, in its own words, "reaching new fans across the world." There was little evidence at Centurion of that being a success just yet.

As the day's play wound down and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel extended his lead in the tournament, I headed home, knowing I had at least a two-hour journey to get home.

Overall, the LIV Golf event at Centurion was a pretty great day out, though the format of the tournament was somewhat confusing for a spectator.