LIV Golf are struggling to bring in any big names ahead of the 2026 season.
Struggling might be an understatement, too. Gone are the days of multiple-time major winners like Jon Rahm sending shockwaves around the golfing world by jumping ship and joining the Saudi-backed league.
This offseason, they have made two signings. Laurie Canter joined LIV shortly after securing his PGA Tour card, and Frenchman Victor Perez joined Cleeks GC.
They were rumoured to have made two relatively big additions, but Si Woo Kim pulled out of his late-stage negotiations, and Sungjae Im unreservedly denied joining LIV on his Instagram. To rub salt into the wounds, reports emerged that Brooks Koepka wants to leave LIV to rejoin the PGA Tour.
So why have the wheels fallen off this season? Why is it that LIV is suddenly unable to attract not only the biggest names but mid-level PGA Tour members? It’s because of one decision they made this year to try to attract new players that has completely backfired.
LIV Golf’s decision has completely backfired
This offseason saw LIV switch to a 72-hole format, stripping away its 54-hole identity, which the tour was originally named after. They did this in the hope of becoming eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points, thereby keeping their big names and attracting new ones.
However, this has had the exact opposite effect. While Rahm has been calling for this change, it’s not an opinion shared by many members of the tour. A lot of the big names, including Dustin Johnson, said they liked the shorter format. Love it or hate it, it made the tour unique.
But by changing to the 72-hole format and rejoining the ranks of traditional tournaments, it’s becoming harder to differentiate LIV and the PGA Tour. What reason would a player have for joining LIV now? Money?
What PGA Tour players do you believe LIV Golf can realistically sign before the 2026 season?
If offering players eye-watering payments is what LIV are relying on, then it’s no wonder the well has run dry. If a player was willing to sign for the money, then they would have done so already. Tiger Woods repeatedly turned down an offer of up to $800 million to join LIV. Some people you just can’t buy.
And for any out-of-form players looking for a change of scenery, LIV is not an attractive option. All they have to do is look at Cam Smith’s poor form or how Rahm was winless in 2025 to see that this isn’t a place that instills confidence and elite play out of its players.
No LIV player won a major in 2025, and only three of their players made the Ryder Cup. So if you’re not playing well on the PGA Tour, LIV is the last place you want to be.
By changing their format, LIV threw away their final bargaining chip, the only thing that makes them noticeably different. When we look back in five years’ time, we may see that moment as the beginning of the end.
How LIV Golf can be saved in 2026
There isn’t really much more LIV Golf can do to attract top-tier talent. Their future is now in the players’ hands.
One of the main arguments for switching formats was to ensure their players wouldn’t be as unprepared for major championships. The PGA Tour players swept the majors last season, and some of that can be attributed to LIV players not being accustomed to playing four-day tournaments anymore.
Bryson DeChambeau’s poor final day at the Masters put him out of contention despite finding himself in the final pairing alongside Green Jacket winner Rory McIlroy.
What is the main reason Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm have struggled since joining LIV Golf?
But now they have a 72-hole format, LIV players have the foundation needed to prove they can still contend with the very best players on the planet at the biggest events, and if they do, heads may start to turn.
Once players recognize that they can join LIV without sacrificing their results at majors, joining could once again become an attractive proposition. But another majorless year, and not only will no one want to join, but their stars may start to eye the exit ramp.
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