LIV Golf named Australia as one of the countries in its plans for a $US405 million expansion next year, in an announcement on Wednesday that revealed an increase to 14 tournaments in 2023.

The series – which is headed up by Greg Norman and funded by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund – revealed it would tweak its name to the “LIV Golf League” while adding six more tournaments and bolstering its total prize money to $US405 million ($A584 million).

The cash injection is an increase of $US180 million from this year’s inaugural series.

“The full slate of events will be announced at a later date and is expected to expand LIV Golf’s global footprint across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe,” LIV Golf wrote in a press release.

As previously reported by Australian Golf Digest, the Australian event is set to take place in Sydney in April 2023.

“The LIV Golf League will officially launch in 2023 with 48 players and 12 established team franchises competing in a 14-tournament schedule,” the press release read.

Australian golfing great Norman is the chief executive of LIV Golf.

LIV Golf has already lured some significant names away from the PGA Tour including multiple Major champions Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, as well as Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Matt Wolff.

Speculation is rife that more star players will jump ship after the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup series concludes in late August. Next year, LIV Golf said its players would also tee it up in “numerous” events on the Asian Tour, which partnered with LIV Golf and created the 10-tournament International Series.

“LIV Golf League players are expected to compete in numerous International Series tournaments, bringing the world’s top players to locations such as Thailand, England, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, Indonesia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong and new locations across the Americas and Europe,” the press release read. “Tournaments will be broadcast across the globe and showcase an international field of headline and next-generation talent for a worldwide audience.”

The expansion will bring LIV Golf’s portfolio of tournaments to 25 worldwide.

“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf ecosystem as we know it, one that provides an opportunity for players and fans around the world to help maximise our beloved sport’s true potential,” said Norman, a two-time British Open champion and chief executive of LIV Golf.

“Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement to fans from all corners of the world, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with. The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars. LIV Golf is committed to making sustainable investments that grow the game now and for the future, and we are proud to turn these dreams into a reality.”

Ormsby, left, and Jones, right, had previously welcomed news Australia was set for a LIV Golf event.

Last month, Australian Golf Digest revealed Sydney was being explored as a host city over Melbourne due to the latter’s strong association with the PGA Tour. Melbourne will host the 2028 and 2040 Presidents Cups, although its organiser, the PGA Tour, is still in negotiations with the Victorian government as to where on the Sandbelt the biennial teams event will take place.

Speaking to Australian Golf Digest before LIV Golf’s announcement, Australian players already on the LIV Golf circuit, Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby, welcomed speculation Australia was set for a new tournament.

“An event in Australia would be huge if it were to happen; we haven’t had that opportunity in Australia for decades, besides the odd Presidents Cup,” Ormsby said. “If we were to have an event like that in Australia, the energy that comes with these events, and the excitement of the team component would be massive for Australian golf. I’m sure [an Australian event] would definitely be on the radar with the people who are driving LIV Golf from the top (including chief executive Norman), so I think it can only be positive for the game Down Under.”

Jones, who will defend his 2019 Australian Open title later this year, added: “I think Australia deserves [a global tournament such as LIV Golf],” Jones says. “Hopefully this [current divide in professional golf’s major tours] will provide more opportunities for golfers to travel down to Australia to play. I think LIV Golf is only going to be beneficial for golf fans in Australia and worldwide.”