Which Golfers from LIV face Potential Demotion?
The 2025 LIV Golf League season is drawing to a close, with only two individual events left before a champion is crowned. As the stakes rise, so does the pressure for players near the relegation line, as the league's relegation rules come into play.
Currently, Anthony Kim, Ollie Schniederjans, Max Rottluff, Luis Masaveu, Chieh-Po Lee, Mito Pereira, LIV rookies Yubin Jang and Fredrik Kjettrup, John Catlin, Wade Ormsby, Minkyu Kim, and Young-han Song find themselves in the Drop Zone, with 0 points or less than 5 points. This means they are at risk of being relegated from the league if they fail to improve their standings.
Players finishing 49th or lower in the points standings after the final individual event (LIV Golf Indianapolis) will be relegated from the league. These relegated players forfeit their team positions and can only return to the league by winning The International Series crown (Asian Tour) or via LIV Golf Promotions, which are qualifying events.
The league introduced relegation in 2023 and tweaked the rules during the 2024 season, allowing team captains to be dropped if necessary. However, captains can remain in the league if they can make a business-related argument for their continued presence. Bubba Watson is a prime example of this, as he was able to stay on the league despite being in the Drop Zone in a previous season due to business reasons.
Players ranked between 25th and 48th (The Open Zone) face a wait regarding their participation in the next season, as they can be traded or released by their teams. This zone includes players like Lee Westwood, who is currently in the Open Zone with 7.20 points, ranking 46th, and Henrik Stenson, who is in the Open Zone with 5.52 points, ranking 47th.
On the other hand, players ranked 1-24 (The Lock Zone) in the standings have their spots in the league for the next season secured. Brendan Steele is currently in the Open Zone with 7.36 points, ranking 45th, but his position is precarious as he is close to the relegation line. However, players like Pat Perez, who was the last man in during the 2024 season with 7.76 points, and Laurie Canter, who retained his position in 2023 with 12 points, are guaranteed their spots for the next season.
One player who has likely guaranteed his future on the LIV Golf League is Josele Ballester. He replaced Luis Masaveu halfway through the season and signed a 'multi-year contract' with Sergio Garcia's Fireballs. Ballester's impressive T7th result at JCB Golf and Country Club further solidified his position in the league.
Meanwhile, Ian Poulter, the Majesticks co-captain, is close to the relegation line following LIV Golf UK by JCB. Anthony Kim, who is in the Drop Zone with 0 points, ranking 55th, may be exempt from relegation as a wildcard who does not also play for a team.
As the season comes to a close, the pressure is on for players in the Drop Zone to improve their standings and secure their spots in the league for the next season. The relegation system has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement to the LIV Golf League, as players fight to avoid the drop and secure their futures in the league.
[1] LIV Golf League Official Website [2] Golf Digest [3] ESPN
- The players in the Drop Zone, such as Anthony Kim and Ollie Schniederjans, need to improve their standings to avoid being relegated from the LIV Golf League.
- Despite the intense pressure, players like Josele Ballester, who secured a multi-year contract, have likely guaranteed their future in the LIV Golf League, while others, like Ian Poulter, are fighting to avoid relegation.
