LIV Golf Plants Flag in Oklahoma with Launch of OKGC, League’s First Team Anchored in a U.S. State

Oklahoma City, OK — LIV Golf today announced Smash GC will officially rebrand as OKGC, establishing Oklahoma as the team’s home market and marking the first time a LIV Golf franchise is directly aligned with a U.S. market. The newly rebranded team will make its competitive debut at MAADEN LIV Golf Virginia, bringing its Oklahoma identity to the nation’s capital as part of the 2026 season. 

The move represents a significant step in LIV Golf’s strategy to connect its teams to home markets, creating stronger identities and deeper relationships with fans, partners and communities. As the league continues to grow globally, OKGC highlights the growing impact of localized, domestic team identities within the LIV Golf franchise model. 

OKGC will be led by Oklahoma native, team captain, and 2023 LIV Golf Individual Champion, Talor Gooch, one of the most accomplished players in LIV Golf history and an Oklahoma State University alum. His connection to the region provides an authentic foundation for the team’s identity moving forward.

“This is incredibly meaningful to me. Oklahoma is where I grew up and where I learned how to compete,” said Gooch, Team Captain of OKGC. “To now represent this state through OKGC and bring that identity with us around the world is something I’m really proud of. We’re building a team that people can connect with, one that reflects the pride, resilience and mindset of Oklahoma everywhere we go.”  

The OKGC identity is rooted in the spirit and symbolism of Oklahoma. At the center of the mark is a bison, an enduring American symbol of grit, resilience and strength, reflecting the team’s mindset to move forward with determination. The number 46 is inlaid as a tribute to Oklahoma’s place as the 46th state admitted to the United States, representing a belief in earning everything and staking a claim through hard work. A star anchors the identity, nodding to the American heartland and the legacy that continues to drive the club forward.

“This is an important step in the continued evolution of our team model, and a milestone moment as we establish our first team aligned with a U.S. market,” said Katie O’Reilly, EVP and Head of Team Business Operations at LIV Golf. “We’ve always believed in the power of team identity, and we’re now seeing our teams develop stronger, more authentic connections across the globe. We’ve seen that momentum build in markets like Australia, the UK, South Africa and Korea, and OKGC represents the next step in bringing that approach to the United States. Oklahoma gives us an incredibly strong foundation having been a market we’ve had success in before (LIV Golf Tulsa 2023), and with Talor Gooch leading the team, there is an authentic connection to the market.”

By establishing a foothold in Oklahoma, LIV Golf is creating new opportunities for both global and regional partnerships, merchandise, fan engagement, and player recruitment, while maintaining the league’s global competitive structure. The state’s strong sporting culture, deep golf roots, successful collegiate pipeline, and growing economy make it an ideal foundation for the league’s first U.S. home market team. 
From a team partnership perspective, OKGC is launching with pillar partners NOBULL and EdgeConnex, whose day one commitment showcase the commercial interest and viability of the regionally aligned team and whose collaboration will help shape the team’s commercial momentum and set the standard for a new era of sports partnerships. 

The OKGC brand is inspired by the values that define the state: grit, forward momentum, and a strong sense of belonging. That ethos will be reflected across team uniforms, fan-first merchandise, content, and marketing activations throughout the remainder of the 2026 season. The rebrand was developed in partnership with Rare Design, a globally recognized creative agency and LIV Golf’s agency of record for recent team rebrands, including Majesticks Golf Club, Korean Golf Club and Southern Guards GC, known for building distinctive and culturally resonant sports brands. 

Tickets for LIV Golf Virginia and all remaining events on the 2026 LIV Golf schedule are on sale now. For more information, including ticket options and event details, please visit LIV Golf’s official website at livgolf.com.