Report: What LIV Golf's feeder series will look like after Asian Tour partnership ends

LIV Golf's official feeder series will be removed from the Asian Tour's schedule when the tours' partnership comes to an end, according to a report.

The International Series was launched in 2022 as part of LIV Golf's investment and partnership with the Asian Tour.

It brought higher-profile tournaments and purses of up to $2m to the Asian Tour while creating a pathway for players to reach LIV Golf.

The series quickly became an important part of LIV Golf's player-recruitment system. 

Its order of merit offered players a route into the breakaway league, with leading performers earning LIV Golf opportunities.

Scott Vincent won the inaugural International Series order of merit in 2022 and earned a place in the 2023 LIV Golf League.

LIV Golf players were also regular participants in International Series events, giving tournaments fields that were considerably stronger than the Asian Tour had traditionally been able to attract.

The arrangement provided LIV with a competitive pathway for identifying talent while giving the Asian Tour greater prize money, visibility and international exposure.

The relationship is now being replaced.

The Asian Tour has agreed to a new partnership with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour that will create pathways for its leading players into the DP World Tour, beginning in 2027. The agreement also includes plans for co-sanctioned events in Asia.

Explaining the decision to end the partnership with LIV Golf, Asian Tour chief executive Cho Minn Thant said the PIF's decision to withdraw its funding from LIV played a primary role.

"The PIF's change in golf investment strategy caught everyone by surprise, and since the end of April we worked closely with LIV Golf CEO, Scott O'Neil, and his team to find potential solutions," he said.

"We were actually in the process of renewing the partnership for another five years before the landscape shifted dramatically which necessitated exploring other avenues.

"Unfortunately, with half of the season having already been played, time was very much against us in preparing for the remainder of 2026 and planning for the 2027 season.

"There was an option of trying to operate the Tour independently but ultimately a partnership with the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour made the most sense because of the commercial support, new events, pathways for our members and most importantly stability and longevity.

"The discussions culminated during the week of The Open."

The move represents a significant change in the Asian Tour's role in professional golf.

Rather than serving as a pathway into LIV Golf, the tour will now be more closely connected to the established global tours.

FlushingIt has reported that the International Series' stop in India has now been cancelled, with the venue officially announcing the decision, while the China event is expected to follow.

The Hong Kong Open, along with four other tournaments, is expected to be co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour from 2027 and beyond, while the Philippine Open will remain a full Asian Tour event.

The season-ending PIF Saudi International remains dependent on the security situation in the region.

LIV Golf players who hold Asian Tour membership will still be allowed to compete in Asian Tour events, while players without status will be able to seek sponsor exemptions where they add value to tournaments.

The timing could prove particularly significant for LIV players seeking alternatives for next season.

LIV Golf is facing an uncertain future. 

Its chief executive is touting a reimagined version of the league, dubbed LIV Golf 2.0, and has said a new investment partner has been secured to take it forward.

But it is unclear whether its star players, such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, will commit their futures to LIV.

Telegraph Sport reported earlier in the week that LIV bosses are resigned to losing Rahm. 

DeChambeau has made it clear that he wants to stay, but his contract expires at the end of the season. 

Rahm is reportedly tied down until 2029.

The European Ryder Cup star may also have another headache to deal with as the DP World Tour has reportedly warned LIV Golf players they will resume their policy of fining and suspending players in 2027.