New Orleans-de Liv Golf League has added a summer tournament in New Orleans for 2026 after Louisiana agreed to pay the Tour $ 5 million supported by Saudi and to spend an extra $ 2.2 million on improvements on the Bayou Oaks course in City Park.
“What an incredible opportunity to announce this on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,” said Gov. Jeff Landry during an announcement alongside Liv Golf Officials and LIV player Bubba Watson.
New Orleans already has a long-term PGA Tour-Stop with the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana. Watson – who grew up about a three -hour drive in Pensacola, Florida – won the Zurich in 2011 and greeted his chance to play professionally in New Orleans again.
“I come from the Gulf Coast and this is partly my home,” said Watson, laughing when he joked about attending many New Orleans Pelicans games that often want to see wounded NBA star Zion Williamson. “I still hope that day.”
Watson sounded carefree about the tournament data at the end of June, when Hitte Advies and thunderstorms are common. June also falls within the hurricane season, albeit closer to the beginning. The Zurich usually takes place in April.
“This is the first year, so the date can always be changed if it comes here for several years,” said Watson. “It gets hot in many places in the summer. … I grew up in the south; I know about heat. We just prepare for it.”
This season a LIV golf tournament was held in Dallas at the end of June, when the temperature floated around 90 degrees during the day.
“We’re going to try it out and then we’ll see,” said Landry. “We will see whether we should adjust the data after this passage. But my goal is to have these LIVs at home.”
This year Louisiana offered the financing of economic development of around $ 650,000 for marketing and activities at the Zurich Classic. TPC Louisiana also receives periodic state subsidies for course and facility improvements.
Liv Golf CEO Scott O’Neil refused to deal with details on how the $ 5 million Louisiana pays to organize an event compares the amount of public financing for events held elsewhere.
“All markets are unique,” said O’Neil. “They all come with their unique challenges and opportunities.”
Organizers said the event is expected to add around $ 40 million in economic activity to the local economy.
Landry said that the agreement in New Orleans “gives us the opportunity to invest” in the course and the more than 170 years old, 1,300 hectare city park of the largest urban parks in the United States.
“This is a public piece of property,” said Landry. “This area must need revitalization.”
Landry does not play a wave and said that he generally did not attend professional tournaments, partly because fans often are expected to stand still. Liv encourages a liveler fan experience in most tournaments than its rival PGA Tour.
“That’s not me,” said Landry. “That’s why I love Liv Golf. Not a ‘quiet’ signs. It’s a party.”
Landry rejected the concern about whether New Orleans, that a Metro-area has a slightly more than 1 million and little in the company headquarters, could support both a PGA Tour and LIV golf event.
“I don’t think those events compete against each other,” said Landry. “This is an opportunity to bring a different group of people to a different course.”
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