Report: Dumped LIV pro found out he was axed from league on social media

Jinichiro Kozuma has revealed he found out he was surplus to requirements at LIV Golf after reading about it on social media. 

The 31-year-old old earned his way onto the lucrative PIF-backed league via their Promotions event 13 months ago. 

He was assigned a spot on Kevin Na's Iron Heads team and endured a frustrating campaign as injuries meant he was restricted to just nine starts. 

Despite his limited involvement, Kozuma still managed to avoid relegation - but he finished in the 'Open Zone' and was vulnerable to being replaced. 

Kozuma's manager told Sports Illustrated that the player had heard rumblings the Iron Heads were going for a full re-brand in the offseason. 

That did materialise and the team is now known as Korean Golf Club, with the aforementioned Na also being dumped. His future is unclear. 

PGA Tour veteran Ben An has decamped to LIV and is now the team's captain. 

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Kozuma told SI he tried to keep in contact with LIV to keep abreast of the developing situation but in the end found out on social media he was being booted out. 

Perhaps that prompted this reaction on X:

"There were definitely a few parts of the process that surprised me," Kozuma told SI. 

For example, I only found out recently that Kevin Na would no longer be the captain, so that was unexpected for me as well.

"Also, since last year, I personally didn’t receive any direct communication from the Iron Heads organization. 

"Because of that, there was a period where it was difficult to fully understand what the situation was. 

"So overall, the way things unfolded was a bit unexpected, and I was simply trying to stay patient and figure out the best next steps."

He continued: "Toward the end of last year, I heard that there was a possibility the Iron Heads might transition into a Korean-based team. 

"At the same time, I was also told that if that happened, there was a chance I wouldn’t be able to remain with the team. 

"After that, however, there were a lot of rumours and the situation seemed to change from time to time. 

"So for a while, I wasn’t completely sure what the final decision would be.

"The moment I clearly understood that I wouldn't be playing for the Iron Heads moving forward was when I saw the official Instagram post announcing the Korean team. 

"That was when everything became clear for me."

Kozuma also revealed he'll spend the 2026 campaign splitting his time across the International Series and on the Japan Golf Tour, where he is a three-time winner. 

He plans to try and win his spot back via the International Series' order of merit. 

Despite the unceremonious way he was chucked out of the league, he doesn't appear to harbour a grudge. 

"My time playing on LIV Golf was a truly valuable experience for me," he said. 

"Competing overseas allowed me to learn a lot, not only about how to prepare for tournaments, but also about how top players approach competition and carry themselves, even in their daily routines and lifestyle. 

"Being able to observe that up close was something I'll always appreciate.

"Actually playing in that environment also helped raise my level as a golfer. 

"I genuinely feel that it made me better, and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of LIV. 

"This year, my goal is to keep improving, take my game to the next level, and work toward earning the chance to return to LIV again."

LIV Golf begins their fourth full season on 4 February in Riyadh. 

Earlier in the week, the league completed its 57-man roster for the 2026 season. 

Phil Mickelson recruited amateur star Michael La Sasso to the HyFlyers. 

Over the winter, LIV Golf also signed Laurie Canter, Victor Perez, Thomas Detry, Elvis Smylie and An.

Brooks Koepka was the highest-profile player to depart and the five-time major winner has been reinstated to the PGA Tour under a new scheme that is open to Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. 

All three players have stressed they are not leaving LIV anytime soon.