LIV Golf aiming for more big-name signings, says president Atul Khosla

By Matt Smith
As the inaugural Team Championship plays out in Miami, with $50 million on the line, the new circuit is already looking to add to its burgeoning line-up of talent.

With the likes of Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka already on the books, “Two to four” top names will be signed up for 2023, according to LIV Golf president Atul Khosla.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Team Championship finale in Miami, Khosla said the only way is up for LIV Golf, with more big-name signings “by the new year”..

LIV president Atul Khosla expects to announce new players “by the new year”.

“We are in the middle of discussions right now,” he said.

After the “beta test season”, LIV will expand to 14 events in 2023, with guaranteed money, no cut and a locked-in team element never seen before in golf.

“We are going to get it [player recruitment] done this year. We want the teams locked in by the new year. It will play itself out over the next couple of months,” Khosla, who works alongside commissioner Greg Norman, said.

Twelve teams of four will fight it out across the globe from February/March in an expanded 2023 calendar, once again coming down to a team finale in Miami, Doral next October/November.

“We are already sold out of certain team merchandise,” Khosla said on Saturday.

“That shows there is a desire to purchase team gear. We have launched team social channels.

“I understand the concept is new to golf but the inherent human nature of wanting to be associated with a team is not.”

One ongoing wrangle is that over ranking points for the OWGR, which LIV Golf is not yet eligible.

“We believe we deserve the points,” said Khosla. “Clearly, including with our alliance with the Mena Tour, we absolutely deserve the points.

“We can’t control who is on the board and who is conflicted there. It is obvious at this point there are individuals on the board who are conflicted.

“I can’t control it. I’m not the one creating that narrative. I can just focus on what we can do; fan experience and player experience.”