Forgotten tour LIV Golf used to try and pull a fast one is revived

The MENA Tour has been resurrected and will play 12 $100,000 events in 2026. 

The Dubai-based developmental circuit has not staged its own tournaments since 2023. 

The MENA Tour was thrust into the limelight in 2022 at the height of the unprecedented disruption in the men's game when it announced an alliance with LIV Golf. 

At the time, it gave the breakaway tour confidence it would lead to being accredited by the governing body that awards world ranking points.

The deal was supposed to provide a direct pathway for LIV golfers to gain access to the four men's majors. 

The move did not work out as LIV Golf desired, despite several players and their wives and girlfriends popping the champagne bottles. 

The Official World Golf Ranking placed the alliance under review. 

And to this day the PIF-backed league is still without world ranking points, although efforts have been made by the governing bodies that oversee the four men's majors to keep the strongest fields possible. 

LIV have renewed their OWGR application and there is confidence changes to their promotion and relegation system will be enough to satisfy the powers that be. 

It has also now emerged that the MENA Tour has been resurrected and former OWGR board member and DP World Tour chief operating officer, Keith Waters, has been appointed the chairman. 

On Friday, the MENA Tour released their 2026 schedule. The circuit will visit Portugal, Egypt, Morocco and Jordan. 

Like LIV Golf, MENA Tour events are played over 54 holes, although there is no team element. 

"We're delighted to unveil such a strong schedule featuring world-class venues across Portugal, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and the GCC," Waters said.  

"We're putting players first: guaranteed tax-free purses, 48-hour payouts and a sensible, low-friction routing are at the heart of this season."

The MENA Tour will also stage its own qualifying school over 20-22 November.

Waters added: "With Q School November and a mid-season Q-Sprint re-opening the pathway in February, the 2025–26 calendar creates more chances to earn status and compete at quality venues across Europe, North Africa and the Gulf."

Scroll down to see the 2025/2026 schedule...