By: Brooks L | 06/21/2024
The LIV Golf tour, a rival to the PGA Tour, is taking on Nashville this weekend, generating quite the buzz.
The event takes place from June 21-23 for the first time ever in Nashville at The Grove. This is the ninth tournament of the league’s second full season.
Nashville, known for its country music, is now hosting professional golf on center stage. With some of the best golfers in the world coming to Music City, a top tourist destination, to play for some of the biggest purses, it’s no surprise that locals are calling this the biggest golf tournament the area has seen in 80 years. It makes for a big weekend.
Apparently, grounds passes are sold out for the event đź‘€.
Somehow Grounds Passes for LIV Nashville are sold out 🤯 pic.twitter.com/3UtoNmOKWU
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) June 19, 2024
It all couldn’t be better timing with Bryson DeChambeau coming off yet another US Open Championship. He spent last week hyping up the crowd, interacting with them shot to shot, and pulling off an impressive victory over Rory McIlroy and company at Pinehurst No.2 in North Carolina.
One of the best moments of my lifepic.twitter.com/Fe1Pxkh1HF
— Bryson DeChambeau (@b_dechambeau) June 16, 2024
Just check out Bryson carrying the US Open trophy down Broadway in downtown Nashville.
Bryson DeChambeau swag level: 💯 🏆
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 20, 2024
(Via: sethgoose/reddit) pic.twitter.com/Ha4U51BVkR
He’s made appearances this week on the Pat McAfee Show, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, among others. They are calling Bryson the “People’s Champ,” and the result is people are turning out in droves to see the 2x US Open Champ.
Bryson DeChambeau: "The energy was electric today, having fun out there with the fans is what it’s all about." 🏌️‍♂️ No one engages like Bryson, even while leading the US Open. Truly a man of the people. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/uq050c7BWh
— Off The Deck Sports (@OTDSports_) June 16, 2024
Look at Bryson living up life drinking from the U.S. Open Trophy.
🚨🍷🇺🇸 #WATCH: Bryson DeChambeau is drinking wine from the U.S. Open trophy in New York this evening alongside Eric Trump (🎥 via @DBTTofficial) pic.twitter.com/sBd1jMv3UJ
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 17, 2024
Sure, LIV Golf has its haters, with many PGA Tour purists pointing out that the tour is backed by Saudi money or that LIV Golf just wants to swoop in and buy some of the best talent in golf rather than develop it. And they argue that LIV doesn’t give back to golf development, especially in youth, the way the PGA does. All relevant points.
One thing’s for sure: LIV Golf puts on a great event and atmosphere with its constant entertainment, shotgun starts, fan-player interaction, and team and individual formats that are fun for fans. This week's tournament even features a stadium hole that pays homage to the famed Phoenix Open hole.
The Party Hole at 15 🔥
— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) June 20, 2024
Are you ready Nashville? đź‘€#LIVGolf @select_event pic.twitter.com/RtIhMrvZvi
LIV Golf Nashville also hosted a celebrity pro-am this week that appeared to have a great turnout, with the likes of George Kittle, Luke Combs, Wayne Gretzky, Calvin Johnson, Randall Cobb, Darius Butler, Michael Oher, Will Levis, and others.
It's good to see Brooks Koepka's wife, Jena Sims, is making the trip to Nash-Vegas.
@jenamsims What I'm bringing @LIV Golf Nashville. @Smash GC @SKATIE @Aritzia @Versace @Nike #golftournamentoutfit #livgolfnashville #livgolfoutfit #golffashion @danielle guizio ♬ A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey
Just reading the comment section on PGATUOR account's original post tells you all you need to know about the sellout and why it's happening:
TheRealColonel's comment makes a great point about star power. Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, and Bubba Watson are some of the biggest golfers in the world and major winners. Fans love to see big names in one place, and this tournament provides it for an area starved for quality competitive golf. This should be a fun event to attend for all.
Jon Rahm getting emotional about a Luke Combs song wasn't something I had on my bingo card today. pic.twitter.com/fPD4OXxK4I
— LIV'r & Onions! (@LIVRandONIONS) June 19, 2024
Not only will the world's best golfers be at the event, but there will also be special performances on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, singer-songwriter Michael Marcagi will perform live at the Fan Village stage, ending day one of the competition. On Saturday, country duo Dan + Shay will take center stage at The Grove after the second day of golf.
Golf and country music are set to collide. It should be a great golf venue.
We here at OTD Sports will be attending the event, so follow us on our socials for updates across the weekend ( Twitter, Instagram, TikTok ).