LIV Golf is going to become more like the NFL or NBA season with trades and player moves and it appears we’ve had our first big move of the winter for the tour.
LIV is operating very much within its team model and is keen to kick on with that aspect and improve it ahead of 2025.
Last year saw the Rippers win on home turf in Adelaide, while Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs also won on home turf in Spain. LIV will want more of that next year and will be keen for teams to be as competitive as ever.
And now, according to a report from Sports Illustrated, Thomas Pieters has become the first player of the LIV off-season to secure a move.
Thomas Pieters moves teams on LIV Golf after threatening to quit
According to the report from SI, Pieters is now making the move from Bubba Watson’s RangeCoats GC to join up with Dustin Johnson and his 4Aces GC.
It means that the 4Aces currently have five players but there is an expectation that Pat Perez will step aside when his contract ends in January.
The move has been confirmed by captain Dustin Johnson, who offered up a short statement.
“Happy to have Thomas on the team. He’s a great addition, great player and makes the team stronger. Really excited for next season,” Johnson said.
Pieters’ decision to stay on LIV comes just a few months after his controversial take on the PGA and LIV merger.
Pieters insisted he would quit golf if a merger happened forcing him to play more events, citing his family and less events as a key driver in his initial move to LIV.
LIV Golf making moves as Tony Finau rumours increase
The off-season is something that LIV could tap into really. Like the team element, it’s something that separates them from the other tours.
Of course, Pieters’ move to the 4Aces comes as rumours around Tony Finau joining LIV continue.
Finau has even been withdrawn from the Hero World Championship, furthering the chatter that he is set to sign for LIV with long-time friend, Jon Rahm.
As for LIV as a whole, keeping Pieters and adding a player like Finau only benefits them as a product.
For Pieters himself, he gets his wish of staying on LIV and forming a fearsome team with Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Harold Varner III.
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