After over a month-long hiatus, LIV Golf has finally returned this weekend to the greens at Rich Harvest Farms, marking the organization’s second outing at this iconic venue since its 2022 stop. In the windy city of Chicago, fans had eagerly anticipated the return of some of the biggest names in the sport. However, it was their attire that immediately captured everyone’s attention on the first day of the prestigious $25 million tournament.
Golf enthusiasts had several compelling reasons to look forward to this tournament, including how Brooks Koepka, the sole LIV golfer participating in the upcoming Ryder Cup, would perform in this event. Sergio Garcia, another former Ryder Cup participant for Team Europe, found himself in the spotlight after being left out of this year’s Ryder Cup team. The question of whether Cameron Smith could successfully defend his title and secure his fourth LIV Golf victory also stirred considerable excitement. Yet, as soon as the players stepped onto the greens, all eyes were drawn to the distinctive red and black ribbons adorning their caps.
Among the notable golfers sporting the red and black ribbon on their caps were Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau. Golf enthusiasts might recall that in 2021, golfers wore red and black attire at WGC-Workday to show their support for Tiger Woods after his car accident. This time, the presence of the red and black ribbon raised numerous questions among fans.
LIV Golf quickly clarified the reason behind this gesture on Twitter, accompanied by a photo of Marc Leishman sporting the ribbon with a smile. The players were proudly displaying their support for fellow LIV golfer Marc Leishman’s charitable organization, the Begin Again Foundation, which holds a special place in the golfer’s heart.
Established in 2016 by Marc Leishman and his wife Audrey Leishman, the Begin Again Foundation has a noble mission – to educate and raise awareness about sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. The Leishman family actively hosts the annual Birdies, Bubbles, and Beers tournament, generating crucial financial support for their organization’s efforts.
It’s essential to note that the motivation behind founding this foundation stems from a life-altering event in 2015 when Audrey Leishman had a potentially life-threatening encounter with sepsis. After her recovery, both she and her husband were inspired to establish an organization dedicated to raising awareness about this deadly disease. Thus, in 2016, the Begin Again Foundation was born.
While Cameron Smith, the Australian golfer who joined LIV Golf alongside Marc Leishman, aims to secure his fourth LIV Golf title, Marc Leishman is still pursuing his maiden victory since transitioning from the PGA. With seven birdies, he currently holds the sixth position on the leaderboard.
In the 12th event of the breakaway LIV Golf series, Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia finds himself tied at the top with four other competitors. In hot pursuit are a remarkable ten players, including Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau, trailing just one stroke behind at 4 under 67. Brooks Koepka, the lone LIV Golfer representing the Ryder Cup this year, is also tied for the second spot, adding to the tournament’s intense competition.
The 2023 LIV Chicago event boasts a significant prize pool of $25 million, with $20 million allocated for individual players and an additional $5 million designated for the team. The question on everyone’s mind now is: Who will emerge as the victor of the 2023 LIV Chicago event? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
