The first-ever transfer window for the sport has been announced by LIV Golf, and it may result in the replacement of five players who competed in the 2023 season by newcomers.
Despite finishing outside the drop zone in the 2023 season-long standings, five LIV Golf stars may lose their spots on the breakaway league.
LIV revealed earlier this week that it would be implementing a transfer window, which might result in players hoping to earn a spot in the Saudi-backed league replacing current stars on the roster. The circuit verified that there will be three stages to player movement during the off-season.
Players who placed in the top 24 in 2023 will be assured a spot in the upcoming campaign in phase one, even if their current contract with the Saudi-backed setup is scheduled to expire at the end of the current campaign.
The second phase, known as “free agency,” then begins. This will include players whose contracts have expired who placed 25th to 44th in the previous season’s standings. In an effort to secure a spot on the breakaway league for the upcoming season, players will have unrestricted access to negotiate with LIV’s 12 teams.
Following the end of free agency, four spots will remain which will be filled by the International Series’ Order of Merit winner, as well as the top three finishers from LIV Golf Promotions in December. Those players who fail to find a deal from free agency will lose their LIV Golf spot for 2024.
Here is a look at five stars who are at risk.
Graeme McDowell
In June 2022, Graeme McDowell signed a contract with LIV Golf, making him one of the company’s biggest names. However, after two seasons, the former U.S. Open champion may be cut for the third campaign. McDowell played with Bernd Wiesberger, Richard Bland, and captain Martin Kaymer at Cleeks GC during 2023.
Following a challenging season for both the Cleeks and himself, McDowell placed 42nd in the individual standings. His best finish of the year came in the season’s opening round at Mayakoba, where he finished 13th. The Northern Irishman, who has entered free agency, runs the risk of losing his spot with LIV as a result of his lackluster campaign.
Bernd Wiesberger
Wiesberger, McDowell’s teammate at Cleeks GC, is next on the list. The Austrian had one of his best professional seasons in 2021 after making an impression on the DP World Tour and earning a spot on the European Ryder Cup squad.
After choosing to leave the European circuit and join LIV Golf a little more than six months later, things have not gone as planned. After surviving relegation during the last week of the regular season in Jeddah, he finished 40th in the 2023 rankings, just one spot ahead of his Northern Irish colleague. In order to guarantee his return in 2023, the former Ryder Cup star is currently searching for a new contract.
Pat Perez
One man who has been no stranger to the LIV Golf podium is American star Pat Perez. Perez has spent his first two years on the Saudi-backed series with the 4Aces, captained by 2022 individual champion Dustin Johnson. Perez helped Johnson completed the double in season one, as the Aces become the inaugural team champions last October.
And just last month, the defending champions almost completed the double after reaching the 2023 team final before finishing fourth. Despite the success, Perez’s finished 28th in the individual standings, meaning he could face the boot if he fails to be re-called by the 4Aces or find another team.
David Puig
Just over one year ago, one of amateur golf’s hottest stars David Puig opted to make the professional dive to join the LIV setup. In his 12 months with the breakaway league Puig has showed plenty of potential at the age of 21, proving he is no doubt set for a big future in the game.
As things stand now though the Spaniard could well be set to continue his venture in pro golf elsewhere having finished 2023 in 31st, leaving him in free agency limbo. Puig spent his first full season with Torque GC, who earned a place on the podium in the season finale, finishing third.
Matt Jones
Matt Jones was one of the Australians brought into the breakaway league by LIV manager Greg Norman. Alongside former Open champion Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Jed Morgan, the 43-year-old participated in the all-Aussie Ripper GC last season.
His teammate Morgan was one of the rebel players who was demoted from the breakaway league and put in the drop zone last month in Jeddah, sealing his fate. Although Jones narrowly avoided relegation, his future is still uncertain as he entered free agency prior to the winter transfer window.
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