Rumors about a new golf league surface Phil Mickelson wins the PGA Championship and becomes the oldest player to ever win a major championship. The Saudi International Tournament announces a new partnership with the Asian Tour. Greg Norman was named CEO of the LIV Invitational Golf Series. LIV, who’s main investor is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, announced a $200 million commitment to the Asian Tour and later increased it to $300 million. Phil Mickelson, in Saudi Arabia for the Saudi International, rips the PGA TOUR for its ‘Obnoxious Greed.’ Alan Shipnuck, who is writing an unauthorized biography of Mickelson, hypes the new book by releasing details of a conversation he had with Mickelson in November. Phil said he helped LIV Golf Investments draft the new league’s operating agreement, but referred to the Saudi’s negatively, and was excited that they were providing leverage over the PGA TOUR. Phil’s comments created a media fire storm, and he issued a statement of apology stating he would take a break from competition. Several of his sponsors cut ties with Mickelson. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan holds a mandatory players-only meeting, in which he reportedly tells players they would not be able to compete on the PGA Tour if they defected to the new Saudi league. Norman writes a letter to Monahan questioning the legality of a potential lifetime ban administered to any PGA Tour player who were to defect to a rival league. LIV Golf Investments announces the schedule for an eight-event, $255 million invitational series beginning on June 9 at Centurion Club in England. Phil Mickelson, the reigning PGA Champion and three-time Masters winner does not compete in the Masters at Augusta National. Robert Garrigus is the first player to publicly confirm he requested a conflicting-event release for the first LIV event to be held opposite the RBC Canadian Open. Mickelson officially registered to play the PGA Championship and U.S. Open, plus requested a release from the PGA TOUR to enter the first LIV event in London. Norman admitted that Phil’s comments had a negative effect on players considering joining the new tour. Lee Westwood and Richard Bland request releases to compete in the first LIV event. Sergio Garcia is heard to utter, “I can’t wait to leave this tour,” after becoming upset with a ruling in the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship. PGA Tour informs players that they will deny any releases for conflicting LIV events. LIV Golf ups their financial commitment to the new league to $2 billion, plus announce plans to expand to 10 tournaments in 2023 and 14 tournaments in 2024 and 2025. Norman vows to reimburse any player who faces potential discipline for playing in the LIV’s inaugural event in London. Mickelson becomes the first player since Tiger Woods (2008, because of knee surgery) to not defend his PGA title. Charl Schwartzel pockets $4.75 million for winning the inaugural LIV Invitational event in London. Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Louis Oosthuizen are also in the field. Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Pat Perez and Brooks Koepka join the LIV Tour. Spring 2021 May, 2021 September, 2021 October, 2021 February, 2022 February 17, 2022 February 22, 2022 February 22, 2022 February 24, 2022 March 16, 2022 April, 2022 April 18, 2022 April 25, 2022 May 2, 2022 May 4, 2022 May 5, 2022 May 11, 2022 May 11, 2022 May 11, 2022 May 12, 2022 May 13, 2022 June 13, 2022 Timeline - How We Got Here:
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