14 LIV Golf players at risk of relegation in 2026

Should LIV Golf go ahead with plans to demote players finishing in the league’s Drop Zone, these are the star names who look set to lose their card…

In a typical LIV Golf season (if there is a such a thing), the discourse heading into the final regular event would circle around relegation-threatened players and the recruitment drive to replace them.

But even the breakaway league’s turbulent fledgling existence, this campaign has been anything but normal. The tumult began in Mexico, when it was confirmed that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would be pulling its support from the league at the end of the season.

Ever since, uncertainty has reigned at LIV events, with speculation mounting over how a new lead investor could save the league – and indeed if the star star players will be on board for this post-Saudi era.

Those questions remain unanswered ahead of LIV’s return to Indianapolis next week for what is widely expected to be the final tournament on the 2026 schedule. LIV’s Team Championships – scheduled for the following week – are set to be cancelled, though no official announcement has been made so the $40 million showpiece in Michigan is still in flux.

TG has reached out to LIV to ask whether relegation will indeed be implemented as planned at Chatham Hills – where last year Henrik Stenson was one of the players dropped from the league.

There has been no clarification as yet, but at the start of the season LIV widened its Drop Zone from six to 11 players as part of its plan to increase meritocracy and secure Official World Golf Ranking points.

While huge player turnover is expected if LIV does survive, the league would surely still need to retain some kind of relegation model if it is to appease the OWGR board. According to LIV Golf’s own website, at least, those in 47th and below on the season-long standings are listed as at risk of leaving the league.

These are the names apparently in precarious positions heading into the final regular season event…

LIV Golf players at risk of relegation

Graeme McDowell
Just above the drop zone in 45th, McDowell finished LIV Golf New York at 26-over-par and has struggled for form all season.

Jason Kokrak
Four years ago when joining LIV, Kokrak spoke about racking up the cash and possibly retiring at the age of 44. He’s currently 41 and is the first player in the relegation positions.

Cameron Tringale
The American has earned north of $14 million since joining LIV and is on the Drop Zone bubble in 46th.

Martin Kaymer
‘Pissed off’ Kaymer has plans to rejoin the DP World Tour and still hopes to revive his Ryder Cup career, but his fade as a competitive force has continued ever since he joined LIV in its inaugural season. The former World No.1 has not finished inside the top-20 all season and, in 52nd, needs a minor miracle to lift himself out of the Drop Zone.

Luis Masaveu 
The young Spaniard could be one of the players looking to build his career in Europe next season. He finished fifth on the HotelPlanner Tour last month, a result far exceeding what he has managed on LIV.

Danny Lee 
Moved to a wildcard position after the creation of the Korean Golf Club team, Lee’s 2026 has been another struggle and he’s on the brink of demotion.

Ben Campbell
The New Zealander has never proven he can make the step up after impressing on the Asian Tour.

Bjorn Hellgren
The Swede won one of the spots at LIV Golf’s Promotions event in Florida at the start of the season, but his time on the league looks like being short-lived.

Michael La Sasso
The winner of the 2025 NCAA Championship forgave a spot at the Masters to join LIV, and specifically Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers team. So far for La Sasso, the phrase “baptism of fire” comes to mind.

Miguel Tabuena
The first Filipino golfer to play on LIV has not been able to take advantage of his wild card status in 2026.

Minkyu Kim
The 25-year-old is 55th in the standings and has not made any impact as a new signing for the new Korean Golf Club team.

Sam Horsfield
A three-time DP World Tour winner, Horsfield’s career has been going backwards in recent years and he has finished outside the top-40 in all but one LIV event this season.

Do-Yeob Mun
Mun replaced Danny Lee as part of the Korean Golf Club team before their home event in May and started well with a tie for 23rd, but has not bettered that result since.

Phil Mickelson
It remains to be seen when Mickelson will return to public life, never mind LIV. The six-time major champion has been taking in an indefinite break from competition this season due to a private family health matter, but did return for one event in South Africa. In the meantime, allegations have been made against Mickelson in his personal life. LIV have not said whether or not the 56-year-old will be getting a bye for next season due to his inactivity in 2026, but as it stands right now he is in the Drop Zone.

LIV Golf Drop Zone 2026

Here are the players currently occupying LIV’s relegation spots following the event in New York…

POSITIONPLAYERTEAMPOINTS47Jason KokrakOKGC78.2548Luis MasaveuFireballs GC75.4649Danny LeeWild Card65.0750Ben CampbellRangeGoats Golf Club63.4551Björn HellgrenWild Card62.6152Martin KaymerCleeks Golf Club58.6053Michael La SassoHyFlyers GC58.5654Miguel TabuenaWild Card46.2655Minkyu KimKorean Golf Club43.1856Travis SmythReserve 40.4057Sam HorsfieldMajesticks Golf Club36.6258Do-Yeob MunKorean Golf Club23.0559Martin VorsterSouthern Guards GC15.8560Wade OrmsbyReserve15.4061Jeongwoo HamWild Card10.7562Ben SchmidtReserve10.3863Max RottluffReserve4.3264Phil MickelsonHyFlyers GC3.55