LIV adds Orlando event before Masters

The controversy-shrouded LIV Golf League is making a stop in the Orlando area the week before the Masters, according to multiple reports.

Orange County National in Winter Garden will host a tournament March 31-April 2, the third stop of a 14-event schedule for the secondyear league funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The 54-hole event will come two weeks after the conclusion of the Florida Swing. The four-tournament slate includes the March 2-5 Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The PGA Tour bestowed elevated status to the popular, long-standing event at Bay Hill Club & Lodge and raised the purse from $12 million in 2022 to $20 million. Backed by the oil-rich Saudis and led by former world No. 1 Greg Norman, LIV Golf lured PGA Tour stars with lucrative contracts and tournament purses of $25 million for regular events and $50 million for season finale.

LIV events feature 48-player field, compared with a 120-man field at the API, and stage 54-hole no-cut tournaments while PGA Tour events are 72 holes with a 36-hole cut.

Pushback led to the PGA Tour’s decision to elevate the Arnie, along with several other events including as Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament and the Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods. The Tour raised the purse of its showcase event, the March 9-12 Players Championship, to $25 million.

LIV will offer $405 million in 14 tournaments in 2023, more than $150 million more than during eight events in 2022.

Orange County National previously hosted PGA Tour Q-school and Korn Ferry Tour events.