LIV Golf has shaken up the professional game but for some rogue players, their defection was as fleeting as it was profitable.
The majority of those who chose to abandon the PGA Tour are now pocketing massive amounts, with Jon Rahm leading the 2024 standings, having earned nearly £13million in tournament winnings alone. That figure jumps to £26.5m after his payout for topping the standings.
Joaquin Niemann has pocketed £21.8m for finishing second and Tyrrel Hatton a cool £12.25m for coming third. Even Anthony Kim, who finished last among the 54 full-time LIV players, earned more than £709,000.
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Fortunately for Kim, he’s safe from relegation due to his wildcard status, with Kieran Vincent, Bubba Watson, Branden Grace, Scott Vincent and Kalle Samooja potentially facing the chop before 2025, reports the Express. The five will have a shot at reclaiming their LIV spot through the promotions tournament.
However, they will otherwise will have to make do with an Asian Tour card next year. Here we take a look at what happened to those who have already been let go by the Saudi-backed tour since jumping ship, including nine players who only lasted the inaugural event at the Centurion Club in June 2022.
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Oliver Bekker
The South African golfer pocketed a cool £611,000 for finishing tied-sixth at Centurion, but it wasn’t enough to secure him a permanent spot on the LIV Golf Invitational Series. He quickly returned to the DP World Tour, with his only win since being at a Challenger Tour event, the 2023 Dimension Data Pro-AM. He’s been notably absent from any major championships.
Ratchanon Chantananuwat
This young gun made waves in April 2022 when, at just 15-years-old, he clinched the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, becoming the youngest ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking event. This victory earned him an invite to the inaugural LIV event, but after finishing tied-38th, there’s been little news about him and he remains an amateur player.
Oliver Fisher
Matching the teenager’s score was Englishman Oliver Fisher, who promptly returned to his usual routine only to miss the cut at the BMW International Open. Since then, the 36-year-old has spent most of his time on the Challenge Tour.
(Image: Getty Images)
Pablo Larrazabal
Despite seeming committed to the DP World Tour, Larrazabal was a surprise participant at Centurion and ended up tied-13th, earning himself £275,000. Shortly after, he was back in Europe and finished fifth at the BMW event, later winning the Korea Championship and KLM Open in 2023.
He did participate in three major championships last year, but his best effort was a tied-65th place at the PGA Championship. Now 41, he seems to be losing his edge.
Viraj Madappa
Another one-hit wonder from LIV, he finished tied-30th in Centurion before being swiftly sent back to the Asian Tour. He’s still competing there and on the Professional Golf Tour of India, but there’s been little sign of a LIV recall.
Andy Ogletree
He arrived at Centurion, finished last, and quickly returned to the Asian Tour. However, the US amateur champion has since bounced back by winning their 2023 International Series Order of Merit to re-earn his spot at LIV for 2024, and was 33rd in the overall standings this season.
(Image: Getty Images)
JC Ritchie
Another forgotten man. The South African tied-17th at Centurion, made £177,000 and has rarely been seen since after struggling on the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour.
Blake Windred
Like Ritchie, one of the more underwhelming ‘where are they now’ stories. He struggled at Centurion, and the Australian was soon back on the Challenge Tour and missed 12 consecutive cuts before fading into obscurity.
Kevin Yuan
Another star from the Asian Tour who was invited to the LIV Golf debut, but seemingly only to make up the numbers. Yuan finished tied-33rd just weeks later, and was back playing the Korean Open. He’s continued to compete on the Australasia and the Asian Tour, and is currently ranked 747th in the world.
(Image: Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/AP/REX/Shutterstock)
Jediah Morgan
The 2022 Australasia Tour order of merit winner bagged a full-time spot on the LIV Golf circuit the following year, raking in £3.5million, but only managed to finish 46th overall. After failing to secure a lifeline in the subsequent promotion event, his demotion was confirmed.
Since then, the 24-year-old Aussie has returned to both his former organisation and the Asian Tour, delivering some standout performances. He’s one LIV reject who might still have hope.
Chase Koepka
Perhaps the most well-known axed LIV star, if only for his surname. He played on his brother Brooks’ Smash GC team but only secured 48th place individually, earning £5.1million.
Like Morgan, he failed to rescue himself in the promotions event and hasn’t participated in a world ranking event since.
James Piot
Piot stuck around longer than most on this list, playing full-time on the LIV Golf circuit in both 2022 and 2023. Like Morgan and Koepka, he was relegated after finishing 47th in the standings last year, but has since pledged to try and return to the rebel circuit, where he made over £3m, via the Asian Tour.
Sihwan Kim
Kim earned a similar amount to his compatriot Pitt, but primarily through his Heads GC team. He finished 50th and last in the standings and has carried his poor form back to the Asian Tour and KPGA Tour, where he’s since failed to challenge for wins.