LIV and Let Die

The Inside Story of the War Between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf

By: Alan Shipnuck

Narrated by: Alan Shipnuck

“A terrific history…gossipy as hell…the writing is classic Shipnuck…he will never bore you.” —Golf Digest

The New York Times bestselling author of Phil and “master of both the art and science of sports journalism” (Sports Illustrated), delves into the heart of the golf industry controversy—the battle for the soul of professional golf between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League—in “his best book yet” (Golfweek).

In recent years, professional golf has been at war, and Alan Shipnuck has been our most trusted correspondent on the front lines. Now, Shipnuck turns to the conflict that made Phil Mickelson, and many other top golfers, villainous in the eyes of the public: LIV Golf’s disruptive—and belligerent—storming of the professional golf world. (LIV’s unofficial motto, immortalized on hats gifted at a staff party: “Fuck ’Em All.”)

In LIV and Let Die, Shipnuck delivers fly-on-the-wall reporting from the yachts where LIV was hatched and within the corridors of power as the PGA Tour flailed to fend off the threat. Shipnuck has traveled seamlessly between both tours—having countless conversations with players, caddies, CEOs, agents, financiers, lawyers, flaks, fans, and Instagramming wives—to deliver a no-holds-barred account of the most chaotic moment in golf history. Anyone who had a stake in professional golf lined up for an interview with Shipnuck—because they knew everyone else was talking to him, too. The disruption to an old, proud sport was largely conducted in the shadows, but LIV and Let Die delivers numerous revelations about what really happened, and why.

Shipnuck’s unparalleled access and award-winning reporting chops provide rich portraits of the brand names at the center of this sprawling tableau: Greg Norman, Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Jay Monahan, His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Dustin (and Paulina!) Johnson, Pat (and Ashley!) Perez, Patrick (and Justine!) Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, Jimmy Dunne, and many more.

Bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, LIV Golf has upended the men’s professional game with vast riches—blatant “sportswashing,” from the mouth of Mickelson himself. The bitter feuding (and trolling) between the PGA loyalists and the LIV camp made the battle between the tours deeply personal—but for the top leaders of the two tours it was strictly business, and in a series of secret meetings they reshaped the future of the sport. LIV and Let Die provides the previously unknown background and crucial context to understand what happened between the tours that shocked the world in June 2023.

Long known as the most fearless writer on the golf beat, Shipnuck has delivered the definitive account of the biggest (non-Tiger) golf story this century and a lively page-turner that in places reads like a spy thriller.

Compelling story

For a non- golf fan interested generally in sports and geopolitics, this was an intriguing story with a wild cast of characters. Shipnuck stays pretty balanced in his criticism of all parties, and begs the question, what would you do with a ridiculous offer from LIV?

Great depth!

Very engaging listen, so many twists and turns. Tons of side stories and history lessons that provide a great foundation for understanding

Interesting and unbiased

Alan Shipnuck's book is a great listen and a must listen for liv-friendly golf fans. Interesting and unbiased.

Good but very biased

Overall this was insightful. It would have been much better if Alan would have left his personal feelings and political leaning out of it. He’s clearly biased against LIV, the Saudis and Donald Trump. So be it, but I am not interested in his view, I am interested in the facts. Real shame he chose to do it this way because many of us are interested in this topic. A word of advice to Alan, “it’s going to be a tough life if you only deal with the people you agree with”. Let’s all agree that the Saudis can do some bad things. Many would say that the Americans are no better given CIA black sites, destruction in Iraq, etc, etc. it’s hard to take the moral high ground.

Great Insight

Enjoyed all the insider information that brings more light to the behind the scenes negotiations.