LIV Golf has been taking all the hits on the same side in recent weeks. The departure of Brooks Koepka, then Patrick Reed, the doubts intentionally cast by Bryson DeChambeau about his future… Definitely, these are not good times for the Saudi league, so it doesn’t seem far-fetched that they are preparing a big move before it starts in Saudi Arabia this Wednesday. Only in this way can the delay in announcing who will replace Reed in the 4Aces, Dustin Johnson‘s team, be understood, as less than 24 hours before the first tournament of the season starts, it officially only has three names: DJ, Thomas Pieters, and Thomas Detry.
If Reed’s absence were to be covered by a temporary player like John Catlin, it is understood that it would have already been made official. Therefore, it is thought, and it is what is being discussed behind the scenes at LIV Golf in Riyadh, that they are looking for another more attractive solution. The two possibilities being considered are a significant signing, at least of a higher level than the latest arrivals in the league, or the possibility of bringing a player like Anthony Kim into Dustin Johnson‘s ranks.
Let’s remember that he lost his place in LIV in 2025 after a very bad year, but he regained it on his own merits with a magnificent performance at the school. It seems he is gradually recovering his level, and his signing for the 4 Aces team would certainly be more striking than another of the names that have been acting as reserves lately. Kim’s signing would also be easy to announce from an operational point of view, as he is already in Riyadh preparing for the tournament to play as a free agent.
Another matter is if neither of these two options comes to fruition. That is, if they fail to secure a major signing or if no agreement is reached with Anthony Kim to join as Reed’s replacement. In that case, it is understood that LIV will have to resort to some emergency solution like John Catlin. Whatever happens, we will know in the coming hours. The tournament starts tomorrow, and soon even the tee times should be known. What no one can fathom is that one of the 13 LIV teams will play the first tournament with only three players. Either way, it does not help the league’s image to be less than 24 hours from the start with an incomplete team.
On the other hand, the withdrawals of Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood have been officially confirmed. The former has explained that it is due to a family health issue, while Westwood, six months after playing his last tournament in LIV, has claimed he has wrist problems. They will not be in either Saudi Arabia or Australia. Their places will be taken by American Ollie Schniederjans and Englishman Ben Schmidt, a member of the DP World Tour who played last week in Bahrain.
