Modern golf is thought to have its origins in Scotland, where the first ever major tournament took place in 1860. Today, it is an industry worth billions, with the
- one of the leading manufacturers of golf equipment - exceeding three billion U.S. dollars in 2021. Several golfers are among the
, has earned over 120 million U.S. dollars from his time in the sport.
How many people play golf?
There are many reasons why people play golf, as it provides an opportunity to take part in sports in a relaxed outdoor setting. In 2022, the
number of people participating in golf in the United States exceeded 25 million. This represented the country’s highest figure in over ten years, and yet this trend was not seen everywhere - since 2019, the
number of people playing golf in England has consistently fallen.
What is LIV Golf?
The LIV Golf tour was founded in 2021, originally as a rival event to the PGA Tour. It succeeded in tempting several high-profile golfers to join, including Phil Mickelson in 2022. One key lure was the level of remuneration on offer, and the overall
prize fund of LIV Golf in 2023 amounted to over 400 million U.S. dollars. However, the competition drew accusations of
sportswashing as it was funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). In June 2023, LIV Golf merged with the PGA Tour in a move that shocked much of the golfing world, with the controversial merger seemingly putting an end to one of the biggest rifts in professional sport.
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