The LIV Golf League has officially made its debut in South Korea, with the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea serving as the host from May 2 to 4. This marks the league’s seventh out of 14 events in the 2025 season and acts as the final tune-up before the PGA Championship, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown on Incheon’s prestigious fairways.
A Homecoming for Iron Heads GC
For the Iron Heads GC team, this week’s tournament is particularly meaningful. With three South Korean-born players including captain Kevin Na and veteran Danny Lee, the event is being embraced as their unofficial “major.”
Na, born in Seoul, expressed his excitement: “It’s a completely different style from traditional golf. And it’s bound to be a refreshing change for fans in Korea.” Danny Lee, who grew up in Incheon, added, “To compete in front of my home crowd is a dream come true.”
The Field and Format
Fifty-four players, divided across 13 established teams plus two wildcards, will participate. With a shotgun start each morning and a mix of international talent, the competition promises to be fierce in both the individual and team standings.
Among the top storylines:
- Joaquin Niemann of Torque GC, who currently leads the season-long points race, seeks his fourth individual title this year.
- Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII squad, fresh off a win in Mexico, aims to defend their position at the top of the team standings.
- Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, and Patrick Reed are using the tournament for critical form assessment ahead of the PGA Championship.
The Course and Conditions
The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea isn’t new to high-level golf. As host of the 2015 Presidents Cup, it becomes the only course to have held both that and a LIV Golf event. The par-72, 7,344-yard layout features numerous water hazards and a rolling terrain reshaped to create a dramatic playing experience.
Ten LIV players from the 2015 Presidents Cup return, including Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, and Bubba Watson, whose knowledge of the course may offer a competitive edge. With potential weather challenges such as scattered showers and winds up to 15 mph, strategy and adaptability will be key.
South Korea’s Growing Golf Market
This stop could prove be LIV Golf’s most culturally significant yet. In 2023, nearly 17% of South Korea’s adults took part in some form of golf participation, making it one of the sport’s fastest-growing global markets. The league is betting on the excitement of its team-based, fast-paced format to attract not just veteran fans, but a newer, younger audience as well.
What to Watch For
- Will a South Korean-led team like the Iron Heads clinch a storybook victory on home soil?
- Can Niemann extend his dominant individual run?
- Will Legion XIII fend off rising teams like Ripper GC and Fireballs GC?
As the opening shotgun blast rings out over the skyline of Songdo, golf fans around the world are tuning in, eager for answers.
Read the full article at LIV Golf Korea Presented by Coupang Play 2025.
