LIV Golf began its fourth season on Thursday with an innovative twist: a nighttime tournament in Saudi Arabia, combining luxury, entertainment, and sport under artificial light.

For the first time, the Riyadh Golf Club, located 20 kilometers from Riyadh, will host the 54 tour players for three full days under more than 1,000 lights and 500 illuminated palm trees. 

The event will start at 6:15 PM local time, just half an hour after sunset. This schedule also benefits viewers in the United States, especially the East Coast, where Fox has acquired the broadcasting rights. The initiative marks another step in LIV Golf’s international expansion strategy and its push into the U.S. market. 

Traditional golf rarely takes place at night. Only a few night exhibitions have occurred, such as the Battle of Bighorn where Sergio García defeated Tiger Woods in 2000, or the Mayakoba tournament with LED-lit greens. However, this will be the first official LIV Golf event played entirely at night, highlighting its innovative nature. 

What do golfers think?

Players note the challenge of nighttime play. Artificial lighting creates different shadows and makes it difficult to track the ball’s flight.

Desert sand can hide shots that aren’t easily visible, and cooler nighttime temperatures reduce the distance the ball travels. “Even with good light, it’s different from sunlight, and you have to adjust to reading the greens,” warns Sergio García. 

Emerging players also feel the difference. David Puig, currently ranked 77th in the world, said: “Some positions around the green and how you see breaks are quite different. It’ll need proper practice.”

The experience requires golfers to focus more on rhythm and strategy, making the tournament both a technical and mental challenge. 

LIV Golf Riyadh 2025 aims not only for sporting innovation but also to create a captivating spectacle for fans, with a format that could be replicated in other international tournaments. The combination of Saudi Arabia, artificial light, and music makes this tournament a unique event on the global golf calendar.