The race to avoid relegation is heating up on LIV Golf League, with a number of stars battling to avoid the drop zone.
Of the standout names in danger of losing their status on LIV Golf this season, two members of Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces GC in Pat Perez and Harold Varner III are close to the drop zone.
They should just about be okay to remain on LIV Golf, but much will depend on how those behind them in the standings get on over the remaining events.
South Africa’s out-of-form Branden Grace is arguably the biggest name in danger of losing his place on Stinger GC, although much will depend whether captain Louis Oosthuizen wants to stick faith with him in 2025.
Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII member Kieran Vincent will need a big performance quickly to prevent him from being axed from the Saudi-backed circuit.
His brother Scott also looks down and out.
Should a player face the drop zone (and be out of contract) come the end of the season, then they will need to tee it up in the LIV Golf Promotions event later on in the year in order to play their way back onto LIV Golf for 2025.
As it stands on LIV Golf, the individual standings are broken down into three categories, with final positions determining a player’s status in the league:
- Lock Zone: Players finishing in the Top 24 secure an opportunity with the league next season
- Open Zone: Players finishing 25-48 whose contracts are expiring become free agents
- Drop Zone: Players finishing 49 and below are relegated out of the league and automatically qualify for LIV Golf Promotions for the chance to earn their spot back next season
It’s important to note that captains or players with years remaining on their contract are exempt from relegation.
That means the likes of Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter and Bubba Watson are all still safe on LIV Golf for 2025, albeit Mickelson did recently hint at the possibility of retirement from the game.
Some of you may also be wondering why Anthony Kim isn’t in the drop zone below, but that’s because he was added as a wildcard earlier this season.
It remains to be seen whether LIV Golf want to stick or twist with AK for 2025, but from what we gather, he will remain on the circuit as he bids to improve his game on the comeback trail from his lengthy spell away from the Tour.
Here’s a look at the players most in danger of being relegated from LIV Golf ahead of the 2025 season…
| 45 | Danny Lee | 8.40 |
| 46 | Jinichiro Kozuma | 8.40 |
| 47 | Pat Perez | 7.76 |
| 48 | Harold Varner III | 7.00 |
| LIV GOLF DROP ZONE 2024 | ||
| 49 | Laurie Canter | 4.30 |
| 50 | Bubba Watson (c) – exempt | 3.66 |
| 51 | Kalle Samooja | 3.40 |
| 52 | Branden Grace | 3.22 |
| 53 | Kieran Vincent | 2.47 |
| 54 | Scott Vincent | 1.57 |
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com