LIV Golf Miami: A Spectacular Showcase of Sporting Excellence and Luxury

Last Friday, two friends and I attended the first round of LIV Golf Miami. As just the 2nd tournament being hosted in the United States for the 2024 playing schedule, this was undoubtedly a highly anticipated event loaded with superstars. Right away, you could see the excitement from the fans to see the marquee groups up close, which featured Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambeau, and Jon Rahm. To enhance the exhilaration, golf icon Phil Mickelson was placed in the marquee group alongside Jon Rahm and Dustin Johnson. The crowd was unmistakably drawn by the presence of these golf heavyweights, giving their undivided attention towards solely these prominent players. 

We started the day by witnessing drives from Koepka and Dechambeau, two of the most perennial athletes of the sport. What made these drives so fascinating to watch was how you could see the ball in the air as opposed to just seeing the trajectory of the shot with a shot tracer. To see the ball fade or draw in the air was simply mesmerizing, especially because these drives were surpassing 320 yards distance on carry alone. Immediately after their drives were hit, fans rushed to the fairway to see their approach shots into the green. Dechambeau dazzled early as he reeled one in to 8 feet and drained the putt for an opening birdie. 

In regard to weather, it could not have been a more perfect day for a round of golf as there were virtually no clouds in the sky. After 15 minutes, we finally succumbed to the inevitable act of purchasing water bottles at a concession stand. We didn’t have much time to spare as these golfers were moving at a high rate and were being flooded by more and more fans as the round progressed. After the 1st hole, we were able to see Koepka and Dechambeau up close and it simply left us speechless. The fans roared as these two made their way to the next tee box and foreshadowed the jubilation to come.

The ageless wonder Phil Mickelson had no problems weaving his magic on and around the greens. Fans were clearly excited to see Mickelson, who had that fervent look in his eyes from the get-go. Rahm, Johnson, and Mickelson all hit towering drives into the fairway that made us question which marquee group we were going to follow throughout the day. The fans marveled at the effortless precision these guys put on display on the first hole. Mickelson, a crowd favorite, made sure to give high fives to fans in between holes to express his gratitude. 

We knew the fulfillment of the 1st round was highly contingent upon whether or not we delighted our taste buds with irresistible chicken tenders and fries. We savored the crispy golden perfection of tender, juicy chicken strips, lightly seasoned and fried to perfection. These chicken tenders and fries were the quintessential sporting venue snack and instantly amplified our moods as we combined flavorful delights with the thrill of the game.

During our break, we were able to see Louis Oosthuizen drive the golf ball. This was an underrated moment of the day as Oosthuizen has one of the most rhythmic golf swings of all-time. Another golfer we laid eyes upon during our intermission was Talor Gooch, an up-and-coming golfer who has risen to prominence since joining LIV. It was mind-boggling to see such a lack of attention being shown to everyone besides the marquee groups. Nonetheless, with much less of a crowd being drawn to these golfers, it was astounding to get such a perfect view of their shots.

Perhaps the best part of the day was when we took a seat next to the green of the 15th hole, the shortest par 3 on the course. This peninsula green requires pinpoint precision as there are two distinct elevation changes on the green. Koepka and Dechambeau both plopped their balls onto the green and controlled their spin to perfection. The crowd was in awe and portrayed their excitement by emphatically applauding. As we made our way to the clubhouse, we made sure to watch a hole of Joaquin Niemann, one of the most promising talents in the sport. For a guy with a small figure, it is extraordinary how Niemann is not only capable of pulverizing golf balls over 330 yards, but can also shape the ball both ways in a versatile manner. We watched Niemann pummel one straight down the middle and then proceeded to stand right next to him for his approach to the green.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the immaculate greens of Trump National Doral Golf Course, it was impossible not to reflect on the sheer brilliance of the day. From the awe-inspiring displays of skill and precision on the course to the unparalleled luxury and hospitality that enveloped spectators at every turn, it was an experience that transcended mere entertainment. As we bid farewell to the first round of LIV Golf Miami, we were left with memories that will linger long after the final putt dropped. In a world where excellence is the standard and luxury is the norm, LIV Golf continues to epitomize sporting extravagance, leaving all who attend speechless and yearning for more.