Chris Heck joins LIV Golf as president of business operations. Former Aston Villa executive Chris Heck has taken up the role of president of business operations at LIV Golf, the Saudi Arabia-backed league. Heck’s departure from Aston Villa follows his two-year tenure, during which the club reached the Champions League.
This appointment coincides with US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester choosing to join Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC team at LIV Golf over a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour. LIV Golf, supported by the Public Investment Fund, also boasts notable players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm.
Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf chief, praised Heck’s commercial acumen and his consistent track record of driving growth, stating that these qualities align with the vision of Yasir Al-Rumayyan. LIV Golf League features 14 events annually, each comprising three rounds, with an additional team series determining rankings based on combined individual scores.
The top 24 golfers earn points, with high placements ensuring continued participation in the competition. Currently, Joaquin Niemann, DeChambeau, and Rahm lead the rankings; Neimann has secured two tour wins, while Garcia, DeChambeau, Marc Leishman, and Adrian Meronk have each achieved solo victories.
Heck expressed his honour at joining LIV Golf at such a pivotal time and supporting its global expansion efforts. Rahm’s Legion XIII leads the team standings, followed by Garcia’s Fireballs and DeChambeau’s Crushers. Ripper GC is the only team outside the top three to clinch a team title this season. The LIV Golf League resumes this weekend in Washington DC.
