After the greatest off-season spree for LIV Golf, it is time to experience the first event of LIV in Riyadh. With two TV broadcast deals already closed, the fans will get the entire coverage on ITV and Fox Sports. ITV will be providing live coverage and highlights in the UK, making it the only free-to-air golf coverage in the region. Fox Sports offers live coverage in other markets. Not only this, with the new exemption for events, the season starter has many other things at stake for the golfers. Even though some LIV golfers like Bryson DeChambeau, Anirban Lahiri, and Paul Casey have already tee-ed off at the International Series India.

The official start of the LIV Golf schedule will be an interesting one to witness. Even with the exemption for the US Open ending by May 19, golfers will be aiming to win and close in the top three positions to get the exemption. As per the recent report shared by the USGA, one golfer from the top three places will get an exemption if not exempt already.

Now with the purse increase, individual standing points, and the opportunity to get the exemption for majors. What better chance the golfers could get to start the 2025 season? Despite the OWGR rejection of the Saudi-backed league, 54 players will be competing for the grand purse of $25 million in the individual event.

With the guarantee that each player will get a purse increase, the winner will have a great share of 20% of the total. On the other hand, the team event will have a $20 million pool, out of which the top team gets a $3 million purse increase, while the second and third will get $1.5 million and $750,000, respectively.

Coming to the individual event, the winner will take home $4 million, while the bottom three players will get $50,000, which is the least. While the top four positions will get more than a million dollars. The runner-up will get an increase of $2.25 million. Following the third and fourth positions will get $1.5 million and $1 million, respectively.

With the first event of the calendar year, top names have already confirmed their presence at the event. Fans are going to experience three rounds of golfing delight from the Riyadh Golf Club. But who will take the trophy is still a question, as it is not going to be an easy win for sure.

Top players to look out for at the season opener of LIV Golf

As a season starter, the event already had high hopes from the fans. However, now with the exemption opportunity for the players at the US Open, the competition will even get intense. Apart from one golfer getting an exemption from the top three in individual standings. The top 10 golfers will also get an exemption for the qualification rounds.

Just like the PGA Tour injury curse. Phil Mickelson has been ruled out from the season opener, but in his place, debutant and winner at International Series India, Ollie Schniederjans, will be seen in action. Even the second and third place holders from the same event, Bryson DeChambeau and Joaquin Niemann, will also be teeing off.

While some golfers might have started their season earlier, the fan’s favorite and former no. 1, Jon Rahm, will not let the competition be easy. Along with him, Cameron Smith, Kevin Na, Brooks Koepka, Talor Gooch, Tyrrell Hatton, and many other top names will be swinging in the season starter.

The great list of players with high stakes on ranking points, purse increase, and the major. Who do you think will start the season with a win at LIV Golf Riyadh? Share your pick with us in the comments section below.