We’ve reached that time of year again when LIV Golf begin making moves by strengthening their ranks.
However, this time feels a lot different to previous years when LIV Golf have made blockbuster signings from the PGA Tour.
Gone are the days of signings like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, it seems.
LIV have clearly changed their recruitment policy and the recent acquisition of Victor Perez is evidence of that.
Meanwhile, former LIV player Laurie Canter appears to be set to return, but as things stand, no ‘big’ names have been linked with a move to the Saudi-backed league.
However, aside from making new signings, LIV Golf could well make a big statement in 2026 with the help of one of their current stars.
LIV Golf star Jose Luis Ballester could cause the PGA Tour a big problem
Jose Luis Ballester won the PIF Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club this week after he posted rounds of 66, 65, 66 and 65 to lift the trophy.
Do you think LIV Golf star Josele Ballester will win a major within the next five years?
The 22-year-old possesses explosive power off the tee, is a superb iron player, and as you’d imagine for a Spaniard, his short game is exemplary.
Jon Rahm has specifically spoken about Ballester’s effortless power, and that will be a huge asset for him as he looks to reach the pinnacle of the sport.
Now Ballester could be ready to help take LIV Golf to another level.
He has absolutely everything needed to be a modern-day golfing superstar, and if he manages to find a way of qualifying for a couple of majors next year, he’ll have a huge opportunity to really prove what he’s capable of.
Ballester is already really well-known in the golfing world, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
Just before he turned professional and joined LIV Golf in April, he played at The Masters after qualifying for the tournament with his U.S. Amateur win in 2024.
However, the man known as ‘Josele’ caused a real storm at Augusta National back in April, when he took a bathroom break, in Rae’s Creek!
Many golf fans found Ballester’s actions hilarious, while others were genuinely angered by his lack of respect for one of the most prestigious golf courses on the planet.
His relaxed approach to answering questions about that incident during Masters week proved that he is not easily fazed.
And that is a great attribute to have when you’re trying to compete at the very highest level in any sport.
LIV Golf star Jose Luis Ballester could be a problem for the PGA Tour
Ballester performing well on LIV Golf, the DP World Tour, and any of the majors he qualifies for would be a significant step for the Saudi-backed golf league.
The young Spaniard, 22, enjoying success would serve as proof that LIV Golf does, in fact, provide a platform for younger golfers to hone their games.
Over the past few years, talented young players may well have been put off from joining LIV due to the fact that not many golfers have actually improved since making the switch to the Saudi-backed league and, secondly, they don’t have world ranking points on offer.
However, LIV switching to a 72-hole format may well change all of that.
Meanwhile, Ballester enjoying a successful 2026 season both on LIV and when competing on other tours might just make other young stars stand up and take notice.
The PGA Tour would have a real problem if LIV finally manage to ‘create a superstar’, so to speak.
Ballester proved this week, with his first professional win in Saudi, that he is unstoppable when he has his ‘A’ game. Now the next challenge for him will be to start winning regularly on LIV and who knows, perhaps a major championship victory won’t be too far away.
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