NEW ORLEANS — The LIV Golf League has added a summer tournament in New Orleans for 2026 after Louisiana agreed to pay the Saudi-backed tour $5 million and spend an additional $2.2 million on improvements to the Bayou Oaks course in City Park.
“What an unbelievable opportunity to announce this on the 20th-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,” Gov. Jeff Landry said at an announcement alongside LIV officials and player Bubba Watson.
New Orleans already has a long-running PGA Tour stop with the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana in Avondale. Watson — who grew up about three hours away in Pensacola, Florida — won the Zurich Classic in 2011 (it became a two-man team tournament six years later) and hailed his opportunity to play professionally in New Orleans again.
“I’m from the Gulf Coast, and this is part my home,” Watson said, drawing laughs when he joked about attending many New Orleans Pelicans games wanting to see oft-injured NBA star Zion Williamson play. “I still hope for that day.”
Watson sounded unconcerned about the tournament dates in late June, when heat advisories and thunderstorms are common. June also falls within hurricane season, albeit closer to the beginning. The Zurich Classic, the lone team event on the PGA Tour, usually takes place in April.