Potentially four fresh competitors might find a spot in LIV Golf come 2026, following the league’s announcement this Monday. The best two performers from both the International Series and LIV Golf Promotions will be eligible for the tour in the upcoming season. Previously, each pathway offered only a single position. This adjustment could potentially increase the league’s composition to a total of 56 participants.
During 2025, LIV Golf showcased 54 athletes forming 13 distinct teams. The remaining pair of players — Chieh-Po Lee and Anthony Kim — entered as independent wildcards, and their contributions did not count towards any team’s scores. The inclusion of two additional players gives the organization sufficient personnel to establish a further team, thereby potentially expanding the league to 14 teams.
LIV Golf was originally established with 12 teams. In 2024, Jon Rahm was introduced, forming Legion XIII alongside Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Surratt, and Tom McKibbin, the latter of whom recently secured invitations to the Masters and The Open due to his triumph at the Hong Kong Open.
“LIV Golf is dedicated to broadening opportunities for international players to participate in what is truly becoming a globally recognized golf league,” stated LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil. “As audience interest in LIV Golf continues to rise, and the possibility of competing across the U.S., Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East against some of the most renowned names in golf becomes more appealing, it makes sense for us to extend accessibility for talented, ambitious players to gain entry into the league.”
With two tournaments remaining in the nine-event International Series, Scott Vincent, a former LIV Golf league member, and Miguel Tabuena currently hold the top two positions. Wade Ormsby, with considerable experience in LIV Golf including starts in Riyadh and Adelaide this season, remains a possible candidate to displace them in the rankings.
In the meantime, LIV Golf Promotions is slated for January 8-11 at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. The competition will consist of four rounds of stroke play, followed by a cut to the top 20 after 18 and 36 holes.
These alterations arrive shortly after the Official World Golf Rankings revealed that LIV Golf had submitted an application for OWGR points towards the end of June. This marks the second time the league has formally applied for points, and the first instance under O’Neil’s guidance.
In 2023, LIV Golf’s application for OWGR points was turned down due to concerns about the league’s format and its closed-shop character.
“The OWGR Board is devoted to an exhaustive assessment of every application. LIV’s application will undergo review according to OWGR’s criteria to guarantee fairness, honesty, and consistency,” stated Trevor Immelman, Chairman of the OWGR board of directors at the time. “We acknowledge the interest of LIV Golf – and all Tours – in contributing to the global environment of men’s professional golf through OWGR. Further information will be issued as the review continues.”
