Charl Schwartzel Comes Out On Top In Inaugural LIV Golf Invitational

It’s been one of the most dramatic weeks in the history of golf. But, with all the commotion going off away from the course, Charl Schwartzel, the former Master's champions, managed to hold his nerve to win the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational in Hertfordshire, pocketing $4.75m (£3.86m) in prize money.

There’s been a lot of talk about how LIV Golf could change the lives of players financially this week, with many suggesting this was the motive as to why so many golfers have decided to switch allegiances. And this was proven when Schwartzel, who won the Masters in 2011 at Augusta, pocketed prize money for his victory equal to what he had made in roughly the last four years on the PGA Tour. LIV Golf supremo Greg Norman was quick to announce that “the evolution of golf has arrived” during the presentation ceremony.

The prize money didn’t stop there for thirty-seven-year-old Schwartzel, who also received a bonus of $750,000 for being part of the winning team. It led to the South African who hails from Johannesburg proclaiming, “never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we could play for that much money in golf.” With masses of money on offer for golfers who want to make the switch from their current tour and get involved, it was no surprise to hear Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion and current world number 168 Pat Perez, are now with LIV Golf.

Reed’s arrival, which was announced on the final day in Hertfordshire, is another big coup for LIV Gold. He’s now due to make his debut next month at Pumpkin Ridge. Reed, along with Perez, and Bryson DeChambeau, who has also signed with LIV Golf, are now likely to be suspended indefinitely by the PGA Tour. Seventeen players have already received notice of their suspensions, so the trio’s names, and anyone else who makes the switch, will likely be added to the list in due course.

It was always going to be a case of the story around the event and the involvement of Saudi Arabia that grabbed the headlines, especially as the inaugural tournament got underway. But, when things started to calm down and the golf was flowing, there was a lot to like. The event itself was described as first-class by many who attended, with the spectator village a key feature. The streamed coverage also came ad-free, which many of those tuning in to watch praised.

It now remains to be seen how things play out ahead of the next event at Pumpkin Ridge. More golfers are contemplating making the switch to LIV Golf. And, with the prize money on offer for those getting involved, there could be some new signings to announce in the coming weeks. How the PGA Tour will react is another question as they continue to suspend those who choose to cross the border.