From 2026, any player signing a fresh LIV Golf contract will be required to compete in at least two International Series tournaments in a season, alongside their full LIV schedule.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The move formalises what\u2019s already been happening organically. A number of LIV stars including Bryson DeChambeau<\/a>, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed have featured in International Series events over the past couple of seasons, but participation has so far been optional. Not so much anymore.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n “Starting in 2026, all newly contracted LIV Golf players will be expected to play a minimum of two International Series events on the Asian Tour as well as the 14 events on the LIV Golf League,” writes Flushing It <\/a>on X.\u00a0<\/p>\n “A lot of players already support these events, but the partnership between the International Series and the LIV Golf League will only continue to grow in the coming years.”<\/p>\n Dustin Johnson<\/p>\n The latest update is a big win for the Asian Tour\u2019s International Series, which has been backed by LIV Golf\u2019s deep-pocketed owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), since its launch in 2022.<\/p>\n When it was first announced, the International Series promised 10 elevated events per year for a decade \u2014 each carrying prize purses between $1.5-$2 million. It\u2019s also been the gateway for players into LIV Golf, with the season-long Order of Merit winner earning automatic promotion into the LIV Golf League.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Zimbabwe\u2019s Scott Vincent became the first player to earn that golden ticket back in 2022. After a year on LIV, he lost his spot in 2024 but is now leading the 2025 International Series standings and looks on course for a quick return in 2026.<\/p>\n The International Series is currently heading to the Philippines this week, with both Johnson and Reed in the field. The 2025 season has been shortened to nine events after the Cambodia stop two weeks ago was cancelled due to political tensions with Thailand.<\/p>\n International Series 2025: Top 5 in standings<\/p>\n Pos<\/p>\n Name<\/p>\n Points<\/p>\n Played<\/p>\n 1<\/p>\n Scott Vincent<\/p>\n 306.04<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Lucas Herbert<\/p>\n 202.95<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Wade Ormsby<\/p>\n 195.00<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Ollie Schniederjans<\/p>\n 183.15<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n 5<\/p>\n Carlos Ortiz<\/p>\n 180.00<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n VIEW FULL RANKINGS<\/a><\/p>\n With LIV\u2019s new mandate kicking in from 2026, it\u2019s clear the Asian Tour\u2019s flagship series is about to gain even more star power, and a much higher profile on the global golf calendar.<\/p>\n The change doesn\u2019t come out of nowhere though, and there are several strategic and financial reasons behind LIV\u2019s latest tightening of the ropes.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Let’s take a closer look at them…<\/p>\n Why LIV Golf has made this moveBuilding a global footprint: LIV has always been marketed as a world tour, and linking directly with the International Series cements its reach into Asia and the Middle East \u2014 regions central to the PIF\u2019s vision of globalising the game.Strengthening its own pipeline: The International Series has already proven an effective feeder into LIV. Requiring new signings to play in those events reinforces the connection and gives relegated players a clear route back into the league.Boosting OWGR access: With LIV Golf still lacking Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, many of its players have used Asian Tour events to maintain ranking relevance. Since the International Series offers OWGR points, this requirement keeps LIV players plugged into that ecosystem.Ending the DP World Tour indemnity: As Flushing It points out, LIV\u2019s indemnity policy \u2014 which covered the fines of players banned or penalised by the DP World Tour \u2014 expires at the end of 2025. Once that safety net disappears, expect more LIV golfers to turn to the Asian Tour instead.<\/p>\n The practical upshot is that LIV\u2019s 2026 rookies will be busier than ever.<\/p>\n Every new signing will now be expected to play 16 events per season minimum \u2014 14 on LIV, plus two on the International Series.\u00a0<\/p>\n That\u2019s before factoring in major championships or personal commitments.<\/p>\n While the move will strengthen LIV\u2019s ties in Asia, it will also mean more travel, tighter scheduling, and potentially less downtime for players used to LIV\u2019s relaxed calendar.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n However, for many players, the upside is clear. More events mean more prize money, more OWGR points, and more opportunities to build form outside of LIV\u2019s 54-hole format.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also likely to give smaller Asian Tour events a huge shot in the arm, as marquee names like DeChambeau, Jon Rahm<\/a>, Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann, Sergio Garcia and Cameron Smith could soon be teeing it up in new markets across Asia and the Middle East.<\/p>\n Furthermore, there will also still be opportunities for many LIV Golf players to still compete on the DP World Tour. Only those without full membership for 2026, such as Garcia, who has had to forfeit his membership after not playing in enough regular events this season, will need to rely on invites.<\/p>\n Garcia last week spoke exclusively<\/a> to GolfMagic to talk about his DP World Tour exit and hopes for a Ryder Cup return in the future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sergio Garcia<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Flushing It also praised the wider impact of LIV\u2019s influence on golf outside of the traditional US and European circuits in his latest tweet.\u00a0<\/p>\n “There has been lots of talk and narratives about the negative effects of LIV Golf\u2019s arrival, but the positive impact it\u2019s had on the Asian Tour and non-US markets cannot be ignored. It\u2019s huge!”<\/p>\n And he’s not wrong either.\u00a0<\/p>\n The International Series has already helped rejuvenate professional golf across Asia, providing new pathways, bigger prize funds, and exposure for emerging players \u2014 all while giving LIV a steady stream of talent.<\/p>\n Starting in 2026, all newly contracted LIV Golf players will be expected to play a minimum of 2 International Series events on the Asian Tour as well as the 14 events on the LIV Golf League. A lot of players already support these events, but the partnership between the\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/iKw3ZJgoCm<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RXFm3TeUQi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) October 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Flushing It has also confirmed LIV Golf is close to re-signing the majority of its out-of-contract players, including all of its biggest names.<\/p>\n Several franchises are understood to be recruiting new talent for 2026 using data-driven scouting models inspired by the sports-betting world to identify players suited to LIV\u2019s team format.<\/p>\n At least six spaces are left to be filled on LIV Golf for 2026, according to reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n Over the last few weeks, LIV Golf have been in discussions with all out of contract players who have not been released by their teams or relegated. Sources have confirmed that most of them have already agreed new deals and all of them are expected to do so, including the star\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/BNK9jHMlnx<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/orrQEbyLun<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Dustin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/dustin-j-usopen.JPG\")
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