Where the 13 players axed by LIV Golf are now as PGA Tour rebels rake in millions

LIV Golf has made waves in the world of professional golf, changing the landscape of the sport in ways few could have anticipated. The Saudi-backed tour lured top talent away from the PGA Tour with promises of massive payouts, and for many, the financial rewards have been staggering. However, not all those who defected found success, and for some, their tenure with LIV was as brief as it was lucrative.

 

One of the standout performers in 2024 has been Jon Rahm, who has made a colossal impact since joining the breakaway tour. Rahm topped the standings with nearly £13 million in tournament winnings alone, and that impressive sum doubled to £26.5 million after his bonus for leading the standings. Hot on his heels was Joaquin Niemann, who earned a staggering £21.8 million for finishing second. Tyrrell Hatton, another major name, claimed £12.25 million for his third-place finish. Even Anthony Kim, despite finishing at the bottom of the 54 full-time LIV players, walked away with a hefty £709,000.

 

Kim, fortunate to have wildcard status, is exempt from relegation. However, other players are not so lucky. Kieran Vincent, Bubba Watson, Branden Grace, Scott Vincent, and Kalle Samooja are all in danger of being axed before the 2025 season. These five will have the opportunity to regain their spots through the promotions tournament, but failing that, they’ll have to settle for an Asian Tour card next year.

 

While the elite continue to rake in enormous sums, what about the players who were once part of the LIV roster but have since fallen by the wayside? Express Sport takes a look at some of the notable names who have already been released by the Saudi-funded tour, including nine players who barely lasted beyond LIV’s inaugural event at Centurion Club in June 2022.

 

Oliver Bekker: Brief Glory, Quick Return

 

South African Oliver Bekker made an impressive £611,000 for tying for sixth place at Centurion in 2022. Despite this, he didn’t secure a permanent spot on the LIV tour. Bekker swiftly returned to the DP World Tour, where he has had limited success. His only notable win came at a Challenger Tour event, the 2023 Dimension Data Pro-Am. Major championship appearances have eluded him, and his name has largely faded from the global golfing scene.

 

Ratchanon Chantananuwat: A Young Sensation Fades

 

One of the more surprising names to briefly join LIV was 15-year-old Ratchanon Chantananuwat. The young Thai golfer burst onto the global stage in April 2022, becoming the youngest-ever winner of an Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) event by capturing the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. This victory earned him an invite to LIV’s debut event at Centurion, where he finished tied-38th. However, since then, little has been heard from the teenage sensation. He remains an amateur and is yet to replicate the buzz surrounding his 2022 triumph.

 

Oliver Fisher: Back to Familiar Grounds

 

Englishman Oliver Fisher also tied for 38th at Centurion, finishing on the same score as Chantananuwat. Despite his LIV appearance, Fisher returned to his regular schedule, missing the cut at the BMW International Open shortly after. Since then, the 36-year-old has spent most of his time on the Challenge Tour, failing to make much noise in major events.

 

Pablo Larrazabal: A Surprise LIV Entrant

 

Pablo Larrazabal’s participation in LIV Golf’s opening event was a shock to many. The Spaniard had appeared committed to the DP World Tour, but his decision to join LIV at Centurion proved fruitful, as he finished tied-13th and earned £275,000. However, Larrazabal quickly returned to Europe, where he enjoyed success, finishing fifth at the BMW event and capturing the Korea Championship and KLM Open in 2023. Although he played in three major championships in 2023, his best finish was a tied-65th at the PGA Championship. At 41, Larrazabal’s best years may be behind him.

 

Viraj Madappa: One-and-Done

 

Viraj Madappa was another player whose LIV journey was brief. He finished tied-30th at Centurion before being sent back to the Asian Tour. The Indian golfer continues to compete on the Professional Golf Tour of India, but there has been little indication of a return to the LIV circuit.

 

Andy Ogletree: From Last Place to a Comeback

 

Andy Ogletree’s LIV debut couldn’t have gone worse. The former U.S. Amateur champion finished last at Centurion, a humbling result that saw him return to the Asian Tour soon after. However, Ogletree’s fortunes have since improved. He bounced back in 2023 by winning the International Series Order of Merit, re-earning his spot on the LIV roster for 2024. This season, he finished 33rd in the overall standings, a respectable improvement from his inauspicious start.

 

JC Ritchie: Another Forgotten Man

 

JC Ritchie made £177,000 after tying for 17th at Centurion, but his success on the LIV tour was short-lived. The South African has struggled since, failing to make an impact on the DP World Tour and the Challenge Tour.

 

Blake Windred: A Fall into Obscurity

 

Australian Blake Windred’s stint on LIV Golf was equally disappointing. He struggled at Centurion, and after missing 12 consecutive cuts on the Challenge Tour, Windred has largely faded into obscurity.

 

Kevin Yuan: Just Making Up the Numbers

 

Kevin Yuan, a star on the Asian Tour, was one of the lesser-known players invited to the LIV debut. Yuan finished tied-33rd at Centurion and, shortly afterward, was back competing at the Korean Open. He has continued to play on the Australasia and Asian Tours, currently ranked 747th in the world.

 

Jediah Morgan: Still Fighting for Relevance

 

Jediah Morgan, winner of the Australasian Tour order of merit in 2022, earned a full-time spot on LIV’s 2023 circuit. Despite earning £3.5 million, Morgan finished 46th overall and was unable to save his place in the subsequent promotion event. Relegation confirmed, the 24-year-old has since returned to his former tours, where he has shown flashes of his former promise. Unlike many others on this list, Morgan’s future still holds some potential.

 

Chase Koepka: The Famous Surname Doesn’t Help

 

Chase Koepka, younger brother of major champion Brooks Koepka, might be the most recognizable name among the LIV rejects. Despite playing alongside his brother on the Smash GC team, Chase could only manage a 48th place individual finish. He earned a respectable £5.1 million but was relegated after failing to save himself in the promotions event. Since then, Chase has not competed in any world-ranking events.

 

James Piot: A Full-Timer No More

 

James Piot hung on longer than most on this list, playing full-time on the LIV circuit in both 2022 and 2023. However, like Koepka and Morgan, he was relegated after finishing 47th in the standings. Piot made over £3 million during his time on LIV and is now eyeing a return through the Asian Tour.

 

Sihwan Kim: The Forgotten Name

 

Sihwan Kim, like Piot, earned millions during his time on LIV, but his performances didn’t do much to justify his place on the roster. He, too, was relegated, and like many others, is now looking for a way back into the tour.