LIV Golf’s 2nd season has team concept, new faces, TV deal

Dustin Johnson was among the most prominent players to sign with Saudi-funded LIV Golf, and he made it pay off by making $35.6 million in just eight tournaments, including an $18 million bonus for leading the points list and the team title. Now comes the encore. Johnson was asked if he felt pressure to repeat. “Yeah, I’m really nervous,” he replied, keeping his reputation of not getting bothered by much.

The curiosity goes beyond Johnson and his 4Aces, a team that includes Patrick Reed and Patrick Perez and now has Peter Uihlein, who finished third on the points list. The rival circuit begins its second season today in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with a television partner — The CW Network — and a few new faces.

It now is billed as LIV Golf League, with an emphasis on the 12 four-man teams that will remain the same during a 14-tournament schedule that starts at Mayakoba, the Mexican golf resort that previously held a PGA Tour event.“i love it because we’re here and the tour is not — end quote,” Perez said.

The prize fund remains $20 million for medal play among 48 players, plus a $5 million purse paid out to the leading three teams. There was some minor shuffling. Uihlein went from Brooks Koepka’s team (Smash) to join Johnson, while Koepka has added Matthew Wolff. But LIV Golf hasn’t really been able to add more top-ranked players during the four months it was away. The biggest addition was Thomas Pieters, No. 35 in the world. Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson signed last year while injured. He is among seven players making their LIV debut today.