Host of players in big danger of being BOOTED (?!) out of LIV Golf League
At least "four players will be relegated" from LIV Golf this season - we take a closer look at those in danger of being axed.
With news emerging that "at least four players will face relegation" from the LIV Golf League this season, GolfMagic takes a closer look at those players potentially facing the chop ahead of the 2024 season.
According to LIV Golf's chief operating officer Gary Davidson, only the top 24 in the LIV Golf League standings this season will be guaranteed to keep their cards for 2024.
Those positioned 25 and down, however, will not be so fortunate with "at least four players getting relegated."
This latest update was confirmed following Davidson's interview in bunkered last week.
Davidson also did not sound particularly confident that the PGA Tour's shock alliance with LIV Golf's own bankrollers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), will even get completed.
He has also confirmed LIV Golf's new schedule will be released before the Ryder Cup, and that the circuit would be more than happy for its members to play elsewhere around the world for "the good of the game".
Related: LIV Golf flop mocked after dreadful campaign
In this article, we take a look at the current safe 24 players on LIV Golf as well as the players that have it all to do with three events remaining on the 2023 schedule.
There is a slight grey area in terms of whether players will get relegated, even if they do find themselves low down in the standings.
This is due to ongoing player contracts and deals already in place with their teams.
All player captains, at least for now, will remain on LIV Golf in 2024 regardless of where they end up in the season standings.
For example, the likes of Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Bryson DeChambeau and Lee Westwood, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table right now, will all be safe for next season.
LIV Golf heads to Chicago from September 22 to 24, Saudi Arabia from October 13 to 15 and then Miami for the season team finale from October 20 to 22.
So which players are currently safe, and which players are facing the axe?
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LIV GOLF LEAGUE STANDINGS: TOP 24
1. Peter Uihlein
2. Charles Howell III
3. Talor Gooch
4. Carlos Ortiz
5. Patrick Reed
6. Sebastian Munoz
7. Brooks Koepka
8. Danny Lee
9. Brendan Steele
10. Dean Burmester
11. Matt Wolff
12. Branden Grace
13. Cameron Smith
14. Mito Pereira
15. Pat Perez
16. Anirban Lahiri
17. Dustin Johnson
18. Cameron Tringale
19. Kevin Na
20. Louis Oosthuizen
21. Paul Casey
22. Jason Kokrak
23. Sergio Garcia
24. Matt Jones
LIV GOLF STANDINGS: THOSE FACING RELEGATION (?!)
Those in bold are player captains, and therefore safe for 2024.
25. Charl Schwartzel
26. Sam Horsfield
27. Henrik Stenson
28. Joaquin Niemann
29. Bubba Watson
30. Ian Poulter
31. Scott Vincent
32. Graeme McDowell
33. Richard Bland
34. Marc Leishman
35. Harold Varner III
36. Abraham Ancer
37. Laurie Canter
38. Bryson DeChambeau
39. Phil Mickelson
40. Thomas Pieters
41. Lee Westwood
42. David Puig
43. Eugenio Chacarra
44. Chase Koepka
45. Jediah Morgan
46. Bernd Wiesberger
47. James Piot
48. Andy Ogletree (has acted as a first reserve on LIV Golf; currently leads Asian Tour's International Series Order of Merit so will be promoted to LIV Golf in 2024)
49. Martin Kaymer
50. Sihwan Kim
Therefore taking a look at the above list and ruling out player captains, it would appear these are the most likely players facing relegation from the LIV Golf League as it stands (more than likely in order):
- Sihwan Kim
- James Piot
- Bernd Wiesberger
- Jediah Morgan
- Chase Koepka
- Eugenio Chacarra
- David Puig
- Thomas Pieters
- Laurie Canter
- Abraham Ancer
- Harold Varner III
- Marc Leishman
- Richard Bland
- Graeme McDowell
- Scott Vincent
- Sam Horsfield
- Charl Schwartzel
There is still all to play for though with two more regular events on the schedule, followed by a season finale in Miami.
With "at least four players" facing the drop from LIV Golf this season, it means "at least four players" will be promoted.
Ogletree leads the current race there.
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman admits his phone has been off the hook in recent months, so you would assume there will ample space made available for any interested PGA Tour players ready to make the switch.
Related: Axed LIV Golf player set for shock return in 2024
Brooks Koepka's recent fall out with Matt Wolff on Smash GC could essentially open the door for one PGA Tour to join.
Koepka said: "I've given up on him."
As it stands, Wolff is 'safe' in the standings, but Koepka may have other ideas as to how he wants to take his team forwards.
Rumours have surfaced on social media that Gary Woodland could be in line for a move to Koepka's team, particularly as they play a lot of practice rounds together at major championships and share a close bond.
Koepka is said to be "actively recruiting" for a player in his team.
There will no doubt be plenty of transfer talk when the season concludes in October.
The PGA Tour and Saudi Public Investment Fund reportedly changed their mind on player signings in July.
Which players do you think will get relegated on LIV Golf? Which PGA Tour players do you think will join LIV Golf in 2024? Or will the PGA Tour keep hold of their star names following their radical changes made to the 2024 schedule? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
