LIV Golf could now have a real problem with its relegation plans with the league’s future in doubt

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

LIV Golf finally seemed to get relegation right during the 2025 season, with the league largely ensuring that those in the drop zone lost their place.

It seemed imperative that LIV ensured that relegation was enforced after some farcical decisions over the years.

LIV Golf finally enforced relegation properly at the end of 2025

Initially, the idea was that only captains were able to save themselves from relegation if they finished in the drop zone, provided that they made a successful business case to the league – whatever that meant.

But any shred of credibility that had disappeared completely when Branden Grace was retained by Stingers heading into the 2025 season.

Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images

Grace was not the team captain, nor did he manage to earn his place back through the qualifying event. Nevertheless, he was somehow able to stay on LIV.

So it was definitely a step in the right direction when the likes of Henrik Stenson and Mito Pereira were unable to keep their places for 2026. Anthony Kim, meanwhile, made the Promotions event so much more entertaining by earning his spot back.

Unfortunately, with doubts over the league’s future beyond this year, LIV is back in a position where it is going to be incredibly difficult to make anyone care about relegation this season.

LIV may simply not be in a position to relegate those who finish in the drop zone

The likes of Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter, Michael La Sasso, and Martin Kaymer went into the Virginia event inside the drop zone.

There is a long time to go this season. But the relegation battle does provide LIV with some much needed storylines.

However, with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia set to withdraw their financial support after this season, it is not yet clear how the league is going to be able to continue.

It may well be that a number of players decide to walk away, because what is clear is that LIV is going to look considerably different in the years to come.

Clearly, the huge riches on offer are likely to be going away. And some players may feel that the time has come to look at other challenges. Bryson DeChambeau’s management met with PGA Tour officials during The Masters to find out how a potential return would look.

If any sort of mass exodus does take place, LIV will probably have to retain a number of the players who looked set to be relegated or may not have had their contracts renewed.

So much is up in the air when it comes to LIV right now, including the list of players who want to stay.

The league may not be afforded the luxury of being able to enforce relegation – which does it no favours whatsoever when it comes to trying to build drama this season.