The LIV Golf Series officially launches today in St Albans (Photo: Getty)

After months of controversy, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series kicks off this week in suburban London. This is all about breakaway golf courses.

What is the LIV Golf Invitational Series?

The LIV Golf Invitational series is a new tour backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The opening event will take place on Thursday at the Centurion Club in St Albans.

Meanwhile, seven more tournaments are planned for the United States and Asia later this year.

Who is playing?

The LIV Golf Event was not recognized in the official World Golf Ranking, but was added to the Ryder Cup Star Series with the participation of Sergio García, Ian Palter and Lee Westwood.

Graham McDowell

Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell takes on the Rebel Tour (Photo: Getty)

Former PGA Tour stars Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson lead the tour, and former local champions Luiost Wisen, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell are also in Hertfordshire.

How much money will you be offered?

The opening event boasts a prize pool of almost 20 million, over 3 million champions.

Without deductions, each player is guaranteed fewer than 100,000 tournaments, of which some 24 million will go to the top three of the eight seasons.

By 2022, the tour’s total prize pool will top 200 million and the final event of the season, the Team Championship, will feature a 40 million prize pool.

Why is it controversial?

LIV Golf has been accused of supporting sports money laundering because the public investment fund is a sovereign wealth fund in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has had a bad experience with the human rights of the LGBTQ community, with the CIA determining that in 2018 Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

greg norman

Greg Norman, leader of LIV golf, claims that Saudi Arabia is trying to change the way (Photo: Getty).

What are the rules?

The 48-man course competes against each other for 54 holes instead of the traditional 72 holes.

There is no cut. The player with the lowest score after 3 rounds will be declared the winner.

The team events will be held at the same time as the individual competitions. 8 teams The four golfers with the nominated captain fight for another prize.

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