The International Series is now into its third season, having been launched in 2022 by LIV Golf Investments and the Asian Tour that hosts it.
At the time, it was revealed that LIV Golf, which is backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, would finance the venture to the tune of $300m over the next 10 years, with the idea that it would ensure more prestigious, lucrative and higher profile Asian Tour events while invigorating the game in Asia and the Middle East.
The first International Series event duly took place on 6 March that year offering a purse of $1.5m, with Sihwan Kim winning the contest. Another six of the elevated events followed, including the Asian Tour's first visit to England with the second International Series tournament at Slaley Hall.
After that, the partnership with LIV Golf, which launched that June, became clearer when it was announced that some of the start-up's players would be teeing it up in various International Series events throughout the season.
That soon began happening, with the third event, held in August 2022, featuring LIV golfers including Peter Uihlein and Patrick Reed.
Perhaps most intriguingly, there was also the promise of a direct pathway to LIV Golf from the International Series via its Order of Merit.
At the time, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman said: “The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars. LIV Golf is committed to making sustainable investments that grow the game now and for the future, and we are proud to turn these dreams into a reality.”
At the end of its inaugural year, Scott Vincent, helped by his victory in the England tournament, was handed a LIV Golf contract.
In 2023, the International Series expanded from eight to 10 events, and this time, there was an even clearer means of reaching LIV Golf.
As well as the Order of Merit winner receiving a contract, handed to Andy Ogletree in 2023, there would also be a LIV Golf Promotions event, which would see the top three on its leaderboard also earn places in the big-money League.
For International Series players not already with LIV Golf, more incentives were added, with those finishing between second and eighth on the Order of Merit earning an exemption into the second round of the LIV Golf Promotions event and the leading 25 available players from the top 40 earning an exemption into the first round.
Kieran Vincent, who finished fourth in the 2023 Order of Merit, earned a contract via the LIV Golf Promotions event, along with Kalle Samooja and Jinichiro Kozuma.
Since then, the International Series has continued to gain influence. In 2024, its nine events were set for Oman, Macau, Morocco, England, two in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Qatar, with $2m purses available in each (rather than the purses of $1m or less usually seen on the Asian Tour).
The events have continued to attract LIV Golf players, too, surely incentivized by the world ranking points on offer. For example, 18 were lined up for the 2024 International Series England before Majesticks GC's Ian Poulter had to withdraw through injury.
Meanwhile, others who have played in its tournaments include golf influencers such as Luke Kwon and promising stars including Amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen.
Now almost three years into the venture, the International Series is still evolving, including with Norman reportedly agreeing a deal for India to host one of its events in 2025. However, its attractive purses, pathway to LIV Golf and the caliber of many of its players ensure that as it does, it is gaining influence and credibility in the wider landscape of men's elite golf.
