Field Expanded to 57 Players, Tournament Format Changed to 72 Holes
Two Added via International Series Ranking, Three Promoted Through Qualification
Koepka Departs; Stenson, Jang Yubin, and Ogletree Relegated
Perez, Canter, Detry, and Smylie Join
Winds of change are blowing through LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabian oil capital. Since its launch in 2022, the league has drawn attention with bold innovations such as eliminating the cut, allowing shorts during rounds, the shotgun start format, and team competitions. However, these efforts have not been enough. In particular, superstar players recruited with massive signing bonuses have not generated the blockbuster success that was anticipated.
This year, in its fifth season, LIV Golf is implementing a variety of changes. These can be seen as efforts to earn world ranking points. The tournament format has shifted from a three-day, 54-hole event to a four-day, 72-hole event. The number of participants has also increased, from 54 last year to 57 this year.
Brooks Koepka announced at the end of last year that he would leave LIV Golf. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Additionally, a relegation and promotion system has been introduced for the league. The pool of players has also been expanded. Two players joined through the International Series Ranking (ISR), and three players earned the right to compete in LIV Golf through the promotion process. All these changes are aimed at earning Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. Further changes are expected before the opening event of LIV Golf, which will be held next month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Much has changed since the end of last season. There have been contract renewals with star players and the addition of new faces to the league. The biggest news is the announcement of the transfer of "Major Hunter" Brooks Koepka (USA). In 2022, he moved from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf with a lucrative contract. After four years of activity, he decided to leave LIV Golf at the end of last year.
Koepka served as the captain of Smash Golf Club. Taylor Gooch (USA) will take over that role. Koepka stated, "I felt that now was the right time to spend more time at home. I decided to leave the team." Koepka is a former world number one. He is the first major champion and high-profile player recruited in the debut season to leave LIV Golf. His departure is a significant blow to LIV Golf.
There are quite a few players who have left LIV Golf. Henrik Stenson (Sweden), Mito Pereira (Chile), Andy Ogletree, Anthony Kim (both USA), and Frederik Kjettrup (Denmark) were relegated due to poor performance. Jang Yubin, the only Korean member of LIV Golf, also failed to finish within the top 48 in the individual rankings and lost his card, prompting a return to the domestic tour.
There are also new additions to the league. Victor Perez (France) and Laurie Canter (UK) have joined. Perez has three victories on the DP World Tour and competed on the PGA Tour last year. Canter, who has two DP World Tour wins, previously played in LIV Golf from 2022 to 2024. With Canter's addition, Majesticks Golf Club, which includes Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Sam Horsfield, is now composed entirely of British players.
Thomas Detry, the winner of the PGA Tour Phoenix Open, is reported to be joining LIV Golf starting this year. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
The addition of these two players is not the end. According to The Times of the UK, Thomas Detry (Belgium) and Elvis Smylie (Australia) will participate in the opening event of LIV Golf this year. Detry is a strong competitor who won the PGA Tour WM Phoenix Open last year. He also made history as the first Belgian player to win on the PGA Tour. Smylie is a promising talent on the DP World Tour. He gained recognition by defeating Cameron Smith (Australia) to win the 2024 Australian PGA Championship.
There are also new participants who will inject energy into the tour. Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe and Yosuke Asaji from Japan earned their spots through the International Series Ranking. Vincent, who was previously with Iron Heads Golf Club, was relegated in 2024. However, after an impressive performance, including a victory at the International Series Morocco, he regained his eligibility to return.
Dustin Johnson, ranked number one in the world, has extended his contract with LIV Golf. Photo by AFP News Agency
While Koepka has left LIV Golf, some players have renewed their contracts. Well-known players who have been with LIV Golf since its inception have signed new deals. Dustin Johnson (USA), Westwood, Poulter, and Sergio Garcia (Spain) are reported to have secured multi-year contracts. Some players have also changed teams. Abraham Ancer (Mexico) left the Fireballs Golf Club, previously led by Garcia, to join Torque Golf Club, captained by Joaquin Niemann (Chile), who was the LIV Golf multiple winner last year.
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