That champion was England’s Tyrrell Hatton, the European Ryder Cup star who will be the most experienced—and in-form—player when LIV Golf kicks off its 2025 season with an entire tournament under lights in Saudi Arabia. “That was my only experience, really, of night golf, and that was a while ago,” Hatton told Golf Digest ahead of the opening round of LIV Golf Riyadh on Thursday.

All three rounds at the Riyadh Golf Club will be held under lights, with the 54-player field teeing off in LIV’s shotgun starts just after 6 p.m. local.

Hatton, who plays on Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team, noted the lights are merely one adjustment that players will be coping with at the season-opener as they play for LIV Golf’s typical $20 million purse and $4 million first-place prize money payout.

Here’s the prize money breakdown for each golfer at the 2025 LIV Golf Riyadh presented by Maaden

“It’ll be better for me to stay on English time and wake up late, because it’s three hours behind Riyadh,” Hatton added. “It’s such a late start. [You don’t want to be] too tired by the time the evening comes around because it’s going to be a late finish.”

Hatton’s fellow Englishman and Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter suggested the time difference could be the biggest challenge. “We’re trying to wake up at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, really, to get ready for a 6 p.m. tee off,” Poulter, a co-captain of the Majesticks team, said.

There are, of course, significant adjustments to be made while on the course. LIV events are three rounds instead of four, but 54 is still more holes under lights than any other tournament on a major tour. The biggest hurdles, several players noted, were shadows, visualization and depth.

“Depth perception will be big,” said former Open champion Cam Smith. “A few of the shots will feel a lot different but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

“Shadows will be a factor, and temperature will be a factor,” added Brendan Steele, a former three-time PGA Tour winner who plays on Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers team. “Usually, it gets warmer throughout a round of golf [when golf balls travel farther in warmer temperatures], but this will get colder so the ball will [fly] shorter. I’m very excited to play under lights.”

Poulter predicted he would lean on his caddie perhaps more than he ever has.

“There’s definitely an adjustment. Light is a huge factor with us in terms of visual reading, and gauging how far away a flag is,” he said. “I think you have to really trust your instincts and the numbers. Playing with a laser and having a great caddie, you’ll really have to rely on them. The visualization on the shots [will be a challenge]. The ball goes off into a dark sky background here. It’s strange, but do you know what? I think it’s going to work really well. It’s going to be exciting.”

Apart from Hatton’s three floodlit playoff holes in 2019, most LIV golfers have little to no experience under lights. The pro-am at the Saudi International tournament in December was played under lights so that LIV players in the Asian Tour event’s field could give the league feedback. Other than that, only a handful of players have experienced night golf. “I played a par-3 course at Sage Valley [in South Carolina] under lights but this is considerably different,” Poulter said, laughing. Steele, though, isn’t as fortunate. “I’ve never done it before, so I have to adapt as quickly as possible.”

A scenic view of the seventh hole before the start of LIV Golf Riyadh – Charles Laberge/LIV Golf

Dustin Johnson gets in some practice at the driving range before the start of the 2025 LIV Golf League season – Chris Trotman/LIV Golf

Adjusting to the lights and shadows will be a possible hurdle for players like Adrian Meronk when the tournament begins on Thursday – Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf

For LIV Golf, which is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fun, kicking off its fourth season with the unique night-time event is an astute move sure to generate curiosity around the world, especially for Round 1 (starting Thursday 10:15 am ET). It’s also likely the first tangible change to the league in the wake of signing a multi-year broadcast deal with FOX Sports in the United States. Rather than air the broadcast on tape delay or attempt to televise the event live with a regular local afternoon start (12 noon in Riyadh is 4 a.m. on the East Coast in U.S.), moving the start window in Saudi Arabia allows for easier viewing for an American audience.

Exposure and publicity are certainly needed after a quiet off-season in which Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, a DP World Tour winner who had secured a 2025 promotion to the PGA Tour, was LIV’s biggest signing. McKibbin, 22, grew up playing at the same Belfast golf course as his idol and mentor, Rory McIlroy. LIV’s five other additions included wildcard player Chieh-po Lee from Chinese Taipei, who won the LIV Golf Promotions qualifying school, as well as South Korea’s Yubin Jang (Iron Heads) Spain’s Luis Masaveu (Fireballs GC), Denmark’s Frederik Kjettrup (Cleeks GC) and New Zealand’s Ben Campbell (RangeGoats GC).

It’s a far cry from a dramatic 2024 offseason when LIV secured its biggest name since its initial launch with then Masters champ Jon Rahm, followed by Hatton. That invited a steady flow of hype and headlines last year, with Rahm winning twice on the league and Hatton once before peaking with LIV star Bryson DeChambeau claiming his second U.S. Open victory.

In 2025, a Ryder Cup year, all signs point to Hatton emerging as the league’s headline act. He hasn’t finished worse than T-10 in his past six official starts worldwide, outside of LIV. That stretch includes victories on the DP World Tour at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews in the fall and the prestigious Hero Dubai Desert Classic last month.

Hatton’s Dubai win catapulted him to No. 8 on the Official World Golf Ranking, an impressive placement considering LIV Golf League events don’t receive for its tournaments, and briefly to No. 1 on the European Ryder Cup team standings (before McIlroy eclipsed him by winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am). From here, Hatton’s busy LIV schedule means the four major championships will be his only official tournaments to accrue crucial points for Luke Donald’s European team before the six automatic qualifiers are finalized on Aug. 24. It puts extra pressure on the majors, but Hatton said his focus would be on winning one of the four, which would likely guarantee Ryder Cup qualification anyway.

“I’ve been fortunate to win some pretty big tournaments over the last few years,” said Hatton, whose trophy cabinet includes the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational and eight DP World Tour titles. He was also T-9 at Augusta last year. “[Many of them] were in world-class fields. Majors are no different. It’s just a case of hopefully getting myself into a position on a Sunday to win. That’s a career goal, to win a major.”

And so Hatton’s march towards the majors, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, and LIV, begins—under lights.

Main Image: Charles Laberge/LIV Golf

The post Lights, shadows and staying up late: LIV golfers are excited for 2025 opener after dark, despite hurdles appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

LIV Golf will play its first event of the 2025 season under lights.

The Saudi-backed circuit will tee off next month in Riyadh at night. Though there is a novelty to the game being played after dark, the move is to cater to American television audiences at the request of LIV’s new television partner, FOX Sports. The event will begin at 6:15 p.m. local time in Saudi Arabia, meaning a start time of 10:15 a.m. in the eastern time zone.

A source familiar with FOX Sports leadership tells Golf Digest that other events may be televised under the lights, specifically international competitions. “You can’t tape delay events, not in 2025” the source said. “If it’s not live it’s a ratings killer.”

Ratings have been a major issue for professional golf the past year—PGA Tour Sunday ratings were down 19 percent in 2024—although LIV has struggled to attract an audience since its launch in 2022. While forming a partnership with CW in 2023 was initially seen as progress, reruns of syndicated shows routinely outperformed live LIV events. It’s performance on the CW was so poor that LIV began reporting their own metrics, although the self-reporting stopped as those numbers continued to spiral. In the LIV individual championship in Chicago last fall, only 89,000 people tuned through the CW to watch Jon Rahm clinch the title; for context, the Solheim Cup’s audience that weekend was seven times bigger.

FOX was in discussions with LIV during its inaugural season in 2022, and the company originally partnered with former LIV CEO Greg Norman to launch a rival league against the PGA Tour in the 1990s that ultimately failed to come to fruition. Why a new deal came to pass now has ties to Fox’s grander plans with the World Cup. Fox has held U.S. broadcasting rights for soccer’s premier event since 2015, although Netflix recently acquired domestic streaming rights for the 2027 and 2031 Women’s World Cups. Of specific pursuit, however, is the 2034 Men’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia, the financial backer of LIV Golf. Technically FIFA will reward those rights; conversely, it is widely considered in the industry that Saudi Arabia will ultimately decide who gets said rights.

Main Image: Kevin C. Cox

The post LIV Golf to televise Saudi Arabia event under lights appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Trump International Golf Club Dubai has once again proven its presence in the golfing world, taking home two esteemed honours at the 2024 World Golf Awards: the title of World’s Best Par 3 Golf Course and the Best Golf Course in the United Arab Emirates.

These are a testament to the club’s unwavering commitment at offering a world-class golfing experience, while reinforcing its place as a top-tier destination for both local players and international visitors.

The award ceremony, held in Madeira, Portugal, celebrated the best in golf tourism, with Trump International Golf Club Dubai standing out as a top contender on the global stage. With a voting panel consisting of travel professionals, industry leaders, media, and golfers worldwide, these titles shine a light on the club’s unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of excellence.

Philip Waine, General Manager of Trump International Golf Club Dubai, expressed his pride in the achievement:

“We are delighted to win these prestigious awards this year for the Gil Hanse-designed Par 3 and Championship courses on both regional and international stages. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Trump management team, who consistently maintain and present both courses at an exceptional level throughout the year.

We extend our gratitude to our ownership, DAMAC Properties, for their vision in delivering and developing world-class facilities since the club’s opening in 2017. Each year, the competition becomes increasingly fierce, given the high calibre of golf clubs nominated in these categories. We look forward to enhancing our facilities further and defending these titles in 2025.”

Trump International Golf Club Dubai. Image supplied

What Makes Trump International Golf Club Dubai Stand Out?

TRUMP GOLF DUBAI BOOKING APP

The new Trump Golf Dubai Booking App offers a seamless way to manage reservations, book tee times, explore upcoming events, and stay up-to-date with promotions. The app also features integrated wallet functionality, simplifying access to memberships and passes, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience.

GOLF COURSES & NIGHT GOLF FEATURES

The Championship Course, crafted by renowned architect Gil Hanse, offers a rewarding challenge for golfers of all abilities. Its links-style design, features rolling fairways with a sprinkling of water hazards to ensure a top test of skill while still allowing for an enjoyable round. For those looking to hone their game, the Par 3 Academy Course provides an excellent practice environment, ideal for beginners or experienced players working on their short game. With immaculate lighting across both courses, Trump Golf Dubai’s night golf offers a premium experience during the crisp, clear winter evenings.

Trump International Golf Club Dubai. Image supplied

GRAB A BITE

PRATO: Offering a sophisticated Italian menu with stunning views of the golf course, PRATO has become a favourite spot for both golfers and visitors seeking an upscale dining experience in a relaxed, elegant setting.

Prato. Image supplied

71 Sports Bar: A lively sports bar where casual dining meets the excitement of sports viewing. Multiple screens keep guests engaged, while the menu offers hearty pub-style dishes, making it the perfect spot for post-game drinks and bites.

Caddy Shack: Positioned at the Par 3 Academy Course, Caddy Shack is a laid-back spot for quick snacks and refreshing drinks. It’s an easygoing environment where players can unwind before, during, or after their rounds.

GROUP LESSONS & PROGRAMS (From 11th January)

Ladies Group Program: This 10-week program is designed for women of all skill levels, offering weekly one-hour sessions, with lessons on both the Par 3 and Championship courses. Women receive eight practice facility vouchers, one complimentary drink per session, plus a discounted midweek green fees on the Par 3 course.

Trump International Golf Club Dubai. Image supplied

Beginners Program: Perfect for beginners, this engaging and beginner-friendly 10-week course covers the basics of golf in a relaxed, small-group setting. Participants receive eight practice facility vouchers, and those who wish to take their game further can of course progress to the next level with personalised guidance from the welcoming PGA professionals on hand.

Trump International Golf Club Dubai. Image supplied

Junior Development Program: Designed for young golfers, this 10-week program focuses on skill development, fitness, and learning the fundamentals of golf etiquette. Participants also have the option to take part in two-hour on-course sessions, where they’ll gain valuable experience in scoring, course management, and the rules of competition.

Trump Golf Dubai continues to lead the way in both exceptional course design and creating an inviting atmosphere for golfers of all levels. With a diverse selection of golf programs, world-class facilities, and a variety of dining options, it easily stands out as one of Dubai’s top golfing destinations.

Main image: Supplied

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