LIV Golf rolled into Michigan for the first time this weekend, delivering a vibrant and spectator-friendly semifinals experience that underscored the league’s growing appeal. Hosted at The Cardinal at St. John’s in Plymouth, this weekend’s Team Championship semifinals featured more than high-stakes golf; it was a community event wrapped in entertainment and innovation.
In addition to top-tier talent like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, the event delivered playful elements that emphasized LIV’s unconventional approach–think “party holes,” walk-up music, relaxed dress codes (shorts included), and immersive spectator zones.
Format That Fires Up the Crowd
LIV’s Team Championship format is uniquely compelling. Starting with a knockout stage, quarterfinalists battled via three-match contests (two singles and one foursome), leading to Saturday’s semifinals and culminating with a stroke-play final on Sunday.
The semifinals delivered. Legion XIII continued to dominate, with Rahm defeating Phil Mickelson 2 & 1, alongside a 3 & 1 foursome win by Tom McKibbin and Caleb Surratt. Crushers GC, powered by DeChambeau, secured their spot with a final-hole birdie, while Stinger GC’s underdog run included impressive victories from Dean Burmester, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel.
Beyond the pure competition, LIV’s Michigan event had something for every type of fan. The Fan Village offered hands-on fun such as “Slide Down Motown,” a slapshot challenge, and a whimsical dunk tank; all adding carnival‑style flair to golf.
Food and drink options mirrored Michigan’s character, with offerings like Coney Dogs, brisket burgers, yardbird smoked chicken sandwiches, and signature cocktails such as the “Have a Beautiful Day” and “Cardinal’s Cup.” Meanwhile, the shotguns start format ensured action-filled play from the opening moment.
Stars, Strategy, and Controversy Flicker
With names like Rahm and DeChambeau leading the field, media attention and strategic scrutiny followed. LIV’s relaxed, entertaining environment (complete with shorts, music, and party holes) stood in stark contrast to traditional golf’s formality and helped stir curiosity and debate.
Moreover, the league’s Saudi funding remains a flashpoint. While controversial, it continues to fuel LIV’s rapid expansion; this Michigan event being one of six U.S. stops on the 2025 schedule.
Other Golf Tournaments on Michigan’s Horizon
While the LIV Golf Team Championship takes center stage this weekend in Plymouth, Michigan’s golf calendar is packed with additional high-profile events. On the PGA Tour Champions side, The Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc Township returns to Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, blending competitive golf with community features such as a pro-am, a charity concert, and even a 5K run.
Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour continues to make Michigan a focal point. The Dow Championship in Midland has become one of the premier team-play events on the schedule, offering a $3.3 million purse and featuring top players in the foursome and fourball formats. Similarly, the Meijer LPGA Classic in Belmont showcases elite women’s golf with a purse of $3 million and a reputation for drawing some of the strongest fields on tour.
Michigan is also a staple stop for the Epson Tour, the LPGA’s developmental circuit. Events such as the Island Resort Championship in Harris and the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Battle Creek have given rising stars an opportunity to shine and move closer to the top tier of women’s professional golf. This year, winners like Melanie Green and Samantha Wagner continued that tradition of breakthrough performances.
At the grassroots level, the state’s amateur and collegiate scenes remain vibrant. The Grand Rapids City Championship unfolds each August, while the Golf Association of Michigan keeps the calendar packed with senior, mid-amateur, and net championships across the state.
On the collegiate side, universities host invitationals such as the Wolverine Invitational at the University of Michigan course and the Island Resort Intercollegiate, ensuring that Michigan golf thrives year-round. These tournaments highlight the state’s role as a proving ground for both seasoned professionals and the next generation of golf talent.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Michigan’s Golf Calendar Heats Up with LIV Semifinals and More appeared first on Heavy Sports.