The LIV Golf model continues to evolve, and with it, the rules of the game for its members. According to The Telegraph and confirmed by Ten Golf, the Saudi organisation has decided to put an end to the discretionary exemptions that in previous seasons allowed some players to retain their status despite not meeting competitive requirements. In plain terms, playing rights will not be maintained simply because your name is Zutano or Mengano.
On paper, all those who finish beyond the 48th position are relegated, but the reality is that until now, captains and some other players were safe from the drop, thanks to signed agreements. However, contractual immunity will no longer be the norm, and from now on, exemptions will be granted based on sporting merits, not commercial decisions. When renewing contracts or signing new players, it seems that purely nominal criteria will no longer be a reason to avoid relegation.
It is true that existing contracts will remain protected by the clauses already signed, but the LIV management wants to make it clear that the system will change in the future. The case of Bubba Watson, who was allowed to continue competing despite finishing 53rd in 2023 as captain of the Range Goats, seems unlikely to be repeated under the new guidelines. Neither he nor Branden Grace, who was also exempted, would meet the requirements now being considered.
The tightening of the rules aims to send a clear message: LIV wants to align with the competitive rigour standards of the PGA Tour and other major circuits. The measure is interpreted as an attempt to gain credibility with the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), whose refusal to integrate LIV has been partly based on the lack of a clear meritocracy system and real relegation. Now, with Scott O’Neil at the helm following the departure of Greg Norman, the Saudi circuit has once again submitted its bid to be officially recognised, doing so by introducing more demanding mechanisms.
The exact criteria to be applied for granting future exemptions have not yet been publicly defined, but internal sources suggest they could resemble those of the PGA Tour: victories, results in Majors, performance, or even merits linked to the Ryder Cup. What does seem certain is that the privileges granted “at will,” as occurred in previous seasons, are over.
The case of Ian Poulter illustrates the new context. The Englishman appears to be out of contract and currently occupies the 49th position in the individual ranking, and unless there is a reaction in Indianapolis or Chicago, he will lose his card for 2026. If unsuccessful, his only way back would be through the December promotion tournament, a wild School with over 100 players where only the winner secures the spot.
With this step, LIV Golf seeks to strengthen its legitimacy and secure its sporting structure. In the absence of official confirmation from LIV Golf explaining all these details, everything points to the relegation being real, tangible, and without favouritism.
