Key Takeaways
- Richard T. Lee is the first Canadian golfer to join the LIV Golf League after winning the LIV Golf League Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida.
- Lee won the tournament by five shots, shooting rounds of 64, 66, 64, and 65, and earned a spot in the league for 2026, as well as $200,000 in prize money.
- He will play as a wild card on the tour, which is dominated by team play, and will not be eligible to play in PGA Tour events due to his participation in the LIV Golf League.
- Lee’s first LIV event will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting on February 4.
- He has played most of his golf in Asia, finishing high up on the money lists on the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Tour, and won a tournament on the Korean circuit last year.
Introduction to Richard T. Lee’s Achievement
Richard T. Lee has made history by becoming the first Canadian golfer to join the LIV Golf League. This accomplishment comes after an exceptional performance at the LIV Golf League Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The tournament, which offered three spots in the league for 2026, saw Lee dominate the competition, winning by five shots with rounds of 64, 66, 64, and 65. This victory not only earned him a spot in the league but also a significant prize of $200,000.
Background on Richard T. Lee’s Golf Career
Lee, a 35-year-old Toronto native, has spent most of his golf career playing in Asia, where he has been a consistent performer on the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Tour. He has finished high up on the money lists on both circuits, demonstrating his skill and dedication to the sport. Last year, he won a tournament on the Korean circuit, his fourth career victory on that tour, and finished 25th on the Asian Tour. Lee has also shown his ability to compete at a high level in North America, as evidenced by his respectable 36th-place finish at the RBC Canadian Open last year.
The LIV Golf League and Its Format
The LIV Golf League is a professional golf tour that features a unique team-based format. The fields are built around 13 four-player teams, with five additional spots available for players who are not part of any team. These individual players can also be added to teams should any player be unable to compete in a particular week. As a wild card player, Lee will not be part of a team but will still have the opportunity to compete against the best golfers in the world and earn lucrative prize money. The winner of a LIV event receives a significant $4 million, making it an attractive option for professional golfers.
Implications of Joining the LIV Golf League
By joining the LIV Golf League, Lee will not be eligible to participate in PGA Tour events, including the RBC Canadian Open. This decision was likely influenced by his attempt to qualify for the PGA Tour through qualifying school last month, which he did not succeed in. However, his victory at the LIV Golf League Promotions event has proven to be a wise decision, as it has earned him a spot in the league and a significant prize. Lee will now have the opportunity to compete against the best golfers in the world and learn from them, which he is eager to do.
Upcoming Events for Richard T. Lee
Lee’s first LIV event will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting on February 4. This will be an exciting opportunity for him to test his skills against the best golfers in the world and to learn from them. As he prepares for this event, Lee is likely to be focused on fine-tuning his game and adapting to the unique format of the LIV Golf League. With his exceptional performance at the LIV Golf League Promotions event, Lee has shown that he has the talent and dedication required to compete at the highest level, and his participation in the LIV Golf League is likely to be an exciting development for golf fans in Canada and around the world.
