golf wars: liv and golf’s bitter battle for power and identity

’If John le Carré decided to take on a golf story, this is the book he’d write.’ - Geoff Shackelford

’A superbly detailed account of an uprising in professional golf.’ - Andrew Cotter

’A complete and compelling commentary as the sport greedily ripped itself apart.’ - James Corrigan, golf correspondent of the Daily Telegraph

GOLF IS AT WAR.

PGA VS LIV. ESTABLISHMENT VS UPSTART.

THIS IS THE COMPELLING STORY OF HOW GOLF WAS RIPPED APART.

The battle for the future of professional golf has been blazing. The Saudi-backed organisation LIV Golf has struck at the very heart of the golfing establishment, setting up rival tournaments with enormous prize pots and pitting the game’s most famous players against each other. Led by legend Greg Norman, it has enticed the likes of Sergio García, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Jon Rahm, parking its tanks on the manicured greens of the traditional game. Its tagline: Golf but louder.

With LIV now in its season and little sign of the struggle abating, BBC Golf Correspondent Iain Carter delivers the fascinating - and ongoing - account of a sporting upheaval.

Golf Wars spotlights the key players, both on the course and in the boardroom, exploring how the PGA Tour and other traditional organisations are fighting back. Carter covers every twist and turn, hearing from influential figures including Rory McIlroy, Jay Monahan, Greg Norman, Keith Pelley and Tiger Woods.

Through expert and up-to-date analysis of all sides of this bitter conflict, Carter reveals how the saga is unfolding and what it means for golf’s future. Has the controversial Saudi Arabian state essentially bought the game? Is LIV just a sportwashing series of glitzy exhibition tournaments? Or is it a welcome challenge to the golfing hegemony and a long-awaited refresh of tired traditions?

This epic tale of fierce internal warfare has shaken golf to its core and marks a seminal moment in sporting history.

Iain Carter has been the BBC’s Golf Correspondent for 20 years, leading commentary teams for BBC Radio 5 Live at major championships and Ryder Cups, and travelling the golfing globe to provide reports from all of the game’s most important tournaments. He covered his 75th Major in 2022 and regularly appears on the US-based The Golf Channel. @iaincartergolf