LIV Golf have been dealt another blow in the quest to become the sport's leading circuit, after being shunned by Apple TV for being 'too toxic'. The Saudi-backed series has sent shockwaves across golf over the past year, having lured in some of the PGA Tour's biggest names to compete on their circuit.
Currently LIV's events are streamed live from the circuit's YouTube channel, having failed to secure a TV coverage deal for their inaugural season. According to Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport the breakaway circuit had offered the rights to Apple TV for 2023, but they chose to decline.
Rapaport revealed that Apple felt the circuit was in fact 'too toxic' to partner up with, due to the controversies that have surrounded LIV since its inception earlier this year.
The TV rights hit is yet another setback for the LIV Golf Series, just days after it was revealed Greg Norman and his circuit were rejected by one of Australia's leading courses - Royal Sydney Golf Club to host an event in 2023. Norman is planning on taking the Saudi-backed circuit to his home country in 2023.
And after approaching the iconic Sydney course to play host, they reportedly rejected the offer according to the Sydney Morning Herald . LIV Golf returns this week after a week off, as the series heads to Chicago for the fifth event of their campaign.
One man in the field will be making his professional debut at Rich Harvest Farms, after David Puig announced he was leaving college golf early in order to turn pro after being offered a deal by LIV Golf. Puig has already competed in two LIV events this year as an amateur, and has been playing college at Arizona State.
Officially welcoming the Spaniard, CEO Norman took to Twitter to write: "LIV family is a bond, growing and forever strong and giving an additional pathway for the next gen. @PuigCorrius a great long term addition."
