NEW ORLEANS – After Louisiana agreed to pay $5 million on the Saudi Arabia-supported tour and spend another $2.2 million on improving the Bayou Oaks course at City Park, the LIV Golf League added a summer tournament in New Orleans in 2026.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to announce this on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,” Gov. Jeff Landry announced alongside Liv Golf officials and Liv player Baba Watson.
New Orleans already has a long-term PGA Tour stop with the Zurich Classics of Louisiana TPC. Growing up about three hours apart in Pensacola, Florida, Watson won Zurich in 2011 and welcomed the opportunity to play professionally again in New Orleans.
“I’m from the Gulf Coast and this is part of my home,” Watson said.
Watson sounded indifferent towards the dates of the tournament in late June, when hot advisories and thunderstorms are common. June will also be within hurricane season, but it’s close to the beginning. Zurich usually takes place in April.
“This is the first year of it, so if you come here for years, the date can be changed at any time,” Watson said. “It’s going to get hot in many places in the summer. …I grew up in the south. I know about the heat. We’re just prepared for it.”
This season, the LIV Golf Tournament was held in Dallas in late June, bringing the temperature during the day to approximately 90 degrees.
“We’re going to give it a try and we’ll see,” Landry said. “I know if I have to adjust the date after this go-around. But my purpose is to make this a Liv home.”
This year, Louisiana provided approximately $650,000 in economic development funding for marketing and operation of Zurich Classics. TPC Louisiana also regularly receives state subsidies for course and facility improvements.
Liv Golf CEO Scott O’Neil declined to elaborate on how $5 million Louisiana pays to host an event compared to the public funds of events held elsewhere.
“Every market is unique,” O’Neill said. “They all have their own unique challenges and opportunities.”
Organizers said the event is expected to add about $40 million in economic activity to the local economy.
Landry said the New Orleans contract “gives you the opportunity to invest in” in the course, with 1,300-acre city parks (the largest urban park in the United States) for those over 170 years old.
“This is public property,” Landry said. “This area needs activation.”
Landry said he is not playing golf and generally does not participate in professional tournaments as he is often expected to be quiet. Liv encourages a lively fan experience in most tournaments than its rival PGA Tour.
“That’s not me,” Landry said. “That’s why I love Liv Golf. There are no signs of “quiet” stuff. It’s a party. ”
Landry has dismissed concerns about whether New Orleans can adequately support both the PGA Tour and the LIV golf event.
“I don’t think these events will compete with each other,” Landry said. “This is an opportunity to take another group of people to another course.”
