A new force has arrived in professional golf, bringing bigger prize funds, global venues, and a direct pathway to LIV Golf. This is the International Series, and this article will guide you through exactly what it is, how it’s connected to LIV, and why it's a significant development for players and fans alike.
So, What Exactly Is the International Series?
In simple terms, the International Series is a set of ten premier, elevated tournaments co-sanctioned as part of the Asian Tour. Think of them as the major championships of the Asian Tour schedule. They boast larger prize funds, attract stronger international fields, and offer a significant number of Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
This initiative was born from a groundbreaking partnership between the Asian Tour and LIV Golf. In 2022, LIV Golf invested a colossal $300 million into the Asian Tour, with a clear mandate to create this high-profile series of events. The aim was two-fold: to turbocharge the growth and prestige of the Asian Tour, which has long been arespected but often underfunded professional circuit, and to create a clear, merit-based pathway for players to earn their way into the LIV Golf League.
Each International Series event operates as a standalone 72-hole stroke-play tournament on the Asian Tour schedule. Players compete for a substantial individual prize purse and for points on two different leaderboards: the standard Asian Tour Order of Merit and the separate International Series Order of Merit.
The Key Distinctions From a Regular Asian Tour Event
Not all Asian Tour events are created equal. The International Series stands apart, and here’s how:
- Prize Money: The most obvious difference is the cash. Standard Asian Tour events might feature prize funds ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. In contrast, every International Series event has a minimum prize purse of $2 million. This significant financial boost naturally attracts a higher caliber and more diverse field of players.
- The Field Strength: Because of the bigger purse and the LIV connection, these events draw a compelling mix of competitors. You'll see Asian Tour regulars and rising stars teeing it up alongside established global names and a significant contingent of players from the LIV Golf League who maintain their Asian Tour membership.
- The Order of Merit: This is possibly the most important feature. While a player's earnings count toward the overall Asian Tour Order of Merit, there is a separate points list specifically for the 10 International Series events. Topping this special ranking at the end of the season comes with the ultimate prize: a spot in the following season's LIV Golf League.
The LIV Golf Connection: Pathway or Feeder Tour?
Let's address the big question head-on: how does the International Series relate to LIV Golf? It's a partnership, but they are not the same thing. This distinction is important.
LIV Golf provides全部the funding. The $300 million investment powers the purses and operations. LIV also uses its promotional machine to raise the profile of these events. However, and this is a big however, the tournaments themselves are not LIV Golf events. They are sanctioned and run by the Asian Tour.
Here’s why that matters to you as a fan and to the players:
- OWGR Points are Up for Grabs: Because the International Series falls under the Asian Tour - a long-established member of the Official World Golf Ranking system - players can earn ranking points. This is a critical distinction from the LIV Golf League events, which do not currently offer OWGR points. For a player looking to get into the major championships or qualify for other elite tours, earning these points is absolutely essential.
-
These are 72-hole, individual stroke-play events with a 36-hole cut. There is no team component, no shotgun start, and no 54-hole format. It's traditional, competitive golf that feels familiar to any fan of the sport. -
The series directly answers the criticism that LIV Golf is a "closed shop." The International Series Order of Merit creates a legitimate, performance-based route for any player, regardless of their background or current tour status, to earn their place in the LIV league. Win your way on. It's a simple, compelling concept. In 2023, American Andy Ogletree played stellar golf to dominate the International Series Order of Merit and secure his spot in the 2024 LIV Golf League, proving the pathway works.
Why Should Golfers and Fans Pay Attention?
With so much golf on TV, why should you tune in to an International Series event? From a coach's perspective and as a fan of the game's growth, there are several compelling reasons.
A Coach's Perspective: A New Global Pathway for Pros
For decades, the path for an aspiring professional golfer from, say, Thailand, Australia, or even the United States was rigidly defined. You’d try to get on the Korn Ferry Tour to reach the PGA Tour, or the Challenge Tour to reach the DP World Tour. These were the established routes, and they were incredibly difficult and often financially draining.
The International Series completely alters that map. It presents a new, viable, and extremely lucrative third option. A player can now dedicate their season to the Asian Tour, targeting the ten International Series events. A single victory in one of these tournaments, with its $360,000 winner's check, can fund their career for years. A strong season-long performance doesn't just earn them a nice living, it catapults them onto one of the world's most talked-about golf leagues.
This creates opportunity on a global scale. A talented player in Asia no longer feels they have * to uproot their life and move to the US to compete for life-changing money. They can now do it on their home tour. For an ambitious player without status on the PGA or DP World Tours, the International Series is arguably the most direct route to the game's highest financial echelon. This isn't just another tour, it's a career-launching platform.
A Fan's Perspective: Compelling & Unpredictable Golf
Forget the politics for a moment and just think about the golf. What do you get when you tune into an International Series broadcast?
You get fascinatingly diverse leaderboards. One week, you might see a major champion like Sergio Garcia or Brooks Koepka battling a young, unknown star from the Philippines down the stretch. The next, you might see a journeyman pro from England clinch a career-changing victory against a field of grizzled veterans.
These events offer a refreshing break from the week-in, week-out rhythm of the PGA Tour. The venues are different, stretching from Muscat in Oman, to the historic Close House in England, to beautiful courses across Qatar, China, and Korea. The mix of players is different. And the stakes feel incredibly high, as you're genuinely watching players fight for their livelihoods and a chance at the big time.
It’s a place where you can discover the next wave of talent before they become household names, watch established stars compete in a new environment, and enjoy golf with a distinctly international flavor.
Who is Playing and Winning these Events?
The roll call of champions on the International Series highlights its global and diverse nature perfectly. It's a genuine mix of established stars, journeymen, and rising prospects.
Consider some of the past winners:
- Scott Vincent (Zimbabwe): The very first winner of the International Series Order of Merit, his consistency earned him a spot in the inaugural LIV Golf League.
Caddie AI- Andy Ogletree (USA): A former U.S. Amateur Champion who regained his form and dominated the 2023 standings to earn his place on LIV for 2024.
- Harold Varner III (USA): A popular PGA Tour veteran who claimed the International Series event in Saudi Arabia.
- Eugenio Chacarra (Spain): A promising young talent who won in his rookie professional season.
- Sihwan Kim (USA): A veteran of global tours who found a new level in his game on the Asian Tour.
These examples show that the series is a true meritocracy. Players from all backgrounds and tours have found success, validating its role as a competitive and open platform where great golf is the only thing that matters.
Final Thoughts
The International Series is a collection of ten elite tournaments on the Asian Tour, supercharged by a massive financial investment from LIV Golf. It provides bigger purses and stronger fields for the Asian Tour while creating a direct, merit-based pathway for players to earn their way into the LIV Golf League.
Keeping up with the ever-changing landscape of professional golf can be a lot, but understanding these new tours can make you a smarter, more informed fan of the game. Likewise, getting expert answers to your own on-course questions can make you a smarter, more confident player. With our app, , you have a 24/7 golf coach in your pocket to help with confusing rules, tough strategic decisions, or even just getting clear advice on how to play a tricky lie.