The Open is set to bestow official status on LIV Golf by awarding the Saudi-funded circuit guaranteed berths in the British major, starting at Royal Portrush this year.
It will be a huge moment for LIV, which has craved validity since it ripped up the professional golfing landscape with its formation three years ago.
The Open is the oldest and, in the eyes of many experts, the most important major in the sport and the fact that the R&A will follow the suit of the US Golf Association - the game’s other governing body which runs the US Open - and go off the LIV rankings list to ensure the tournament has the best field possible is a big milestone.
Certainly, it is a notable shift in attitude from the R&A, which just a few years ago banned the then LIV chief executive, Greg Norman, from attending the 150th Open at St Andrews in an official capacity as former chairman.
It will be seen as another step on the road to peace - or at least co-existence - and although the number of spots on offer will not be significant - LIV would like double-figures, but as with the US Open they will probably have to be content with merely a couple at the outset of the new arrangement - the symbolism of the decision should be underestimated. An announcement is expected in the next few weeks. Both the R&A and LIV declined to comment.
The positive news for LIV just keeps on coming. The league announced a deal has been signed with ITV to show live action and highlights from its 14 events in 2025 - starting with the second and final rounds from this week’s curtain-raiser in Riyadh. On the back of LIV signing with Fox TV, one of the main US networks, last month, this is another noteworthy partnership.
The coverage means LIV will be the only live free-to-air golf available in the UK, following the BBC’s decision to pull out screening the Masters and the Open.
“This is an exciting time for LIV Golf as we look ahead to the innovative 2025 season,” said Niall Sloane, director of ITV Sport. “This partnership delivers free-to-air coverage for fans and we are delighted to welcome LIV Golf to ITV Sport.”
LIV will deliver the coverage in full with its in-house production and ITV will provide an income stream, whether that comes in the form of rights fees or a revenue-sharing agreement for advertising. ITV’s streaming channel - ITVX - will be LIV’s primary home in the UK, although ITV1 and ITV4 is also mooted to show occasional live action. ITV4 will screen a weekly highlights package.
After spending the first three years of its controversial existence in the broadcasting shadows - LIV was only available in the UK via YouTube and the official website - Scott O’Neil, Norman’s replacement, will see this as further legitimisation of the league as a growing world power.
