The Saudi-backed tour has taken a leaf from the English Premier League by removing the four lowest-ranked players from their respective squads. According to Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig, it was formally revealed this week that LIV will host a promotional event that will add three golfers to the 2024 lineup.
One of the reasons the OWGR (Official World Golf Rankings) denied LIV’s application to earn points for its players next season was a lack of player turnover.
The promotional event will take place from December 8 to 10, in the hopes that the Official Golf World Rankings may reconsider.
Following the conclusion of the individual race at LIV Jeddah, four players were relegated: Jed Morgan (Rippers GC), James Piot (HyFlyers GC), Brooks Koepka’s younger brother Chase Koepka (Smash GC), and Sihwan Kim (Iron Heads GC).
These four competed in LIV’s ‘Drop Zone.’ It would have been six golfers, but Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer are captains, therefore they avoided relegation.
Players rated 1-24 secured their spot in 2024. Men ranked 25-44th are in what LIV Golf refers to as the “Open Zone.” They have the option of remaining with their current team or signing with another on the transfer market.
Any players ranked higher than 44 were placed in the “Drop Zone.”
The tournament in December will promote three players to LIV rosters. The top player on the Asian Tour will be promoted into the league in 2024, taking the fourth spot.
It will not be a traditional 54-hole tournament for these guys, but 72. The event will be divided into various cuts and feature different exemption categories.
LIV Promotional Tournament – Structure
Round 1
The first round features the winners of the US and British Amateur championships, the Latin-America Amateur, the Asia-Pacific Amateur, and the European Amateur, as well as players from the top 200 in the Official World Golf Ranking and the top 20 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The top 20 players, as well as those tied for second place, progress to the second round.
Round 2
The scores will be reset for another 18 holes in the second round. The top 20 from Day 1 will be joined in the second round by players who received automatic exemptions.
Relegated players, winners of a PGA Tour or DP World Tour event, major champions since 2018, Ryder Cup and President Cup players, and those placed in the top five on the International Series standings are among those included.
The top 16 players will then continue to the final two rounds of play.
Final Round
Those competitors will compete in a standard stroke play format.
Three of those 16 will receive automatic promotions to LIV Golf in 2024.
Relegation is a novel concept in golf, but it’s worth keeping an eye on since it could pave the way for even bigger changes.
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