LIV Golf Shake-Up: 6 Big Names Booted from the League Ahead of Next Season

The 2025 LIV Golf season ended with plenty of fireworks, but the biggest storyline wasn’t just Jon Rahm clinching the season-long title—it was the six players who lost their spots in the league entirely.

The following players have been relegated from the LIV Golf League:

Henrik Stenson
Andy Ogletree
Mito Pereira
Yubin Jang
Anthony Kim
Frederik Kjettrup

There are no exceptions and no clauses this year. The only way back is via The International Series on the Asian Tour (the… https://t.co/d6NYYXBeS1 pic.twitter.com/B8rLdqd5ri

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) August 17, 2025

Unlike the PGA Tour, LIV runs on a unique promotion and relegation system. That means if you finish too low in the season standings, you’re out, no matter how big your name might be.

How LIV’s Relegation Works

LIV’s regular season uses a points-based system. Players earn points for individual finishes throughout the year, and those totals determine their place in the season standings.

At the end of the year, those ranked 49th and lower are cut from the league. The only exceptions are team captains, who retain their spots automatically.

The players who are dropped have a few possible paths back:

• The Promotions Event: All relegated players automatically qualify for this multi-round qualifier—often held in Riyadh—and the top finishers (e.g., winners or top 3/10) can regain their LIV spot. 

• International Series Order of Merit: Players can earn their way back by topping the standings in the LIV-backed International Series on the Asian Tour.

In short: fall into the drop zone, and your job security vanishes fast.

The Six Players Who Got the Boot in 2025

Henrik Stenson

Perhaps the most shocking name on this year’s list, former Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson tumbled out of LIV after a rough stretch of form. He finished 49th, the last safe spot—only to be bumped when Ian Poulter birdied four of his last five holes to sneak ahead.

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The cruel twist? Poulter is Stenson’s Majesticks GC teammate and friend.

Stenson now faces an uphill climb to return, but his name recognition and past accomplishments may give him an edge if he goes through the Promotions Event.

Andy Ogletree

Ogletree was once LIV’s poster boy, winning its first-ever event in London back in 2022 as an amateur. Fast forward to 2025, and his game just hasn’t kept up with the depth of the field.

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Finishing 50th, he was the first man out. Still in his 20s, Ogletree has time on his side, but he’ll need to rediscover form quickly to climb back in.

Mito Pereira

The Chilean star arrived on LIV with big expectations after nearly winning the 2022 PGA Championship, but he couldn’t find consistency in 2025.

Pereira landed at 51st in the standings, and while his talent is undeniable, LIV’s format and pressure seem to have exposed some cracks.

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He’ll be a favorite in the Promotions Event if he decides to grind it out.

Yubin Jang

A rising talent from South Korea, Jang showed flashes of brilliance but too often struggled to put four rounds together.

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His 52nd-place finish means he’ll be back on the outside looking in next year. The question is whether LIV sees him as a long-term investment, or if he’ll have to rebuild his résumé elsewhere before trying again.

Anthony Kim

Kim’s return to pro golf was one of the sport’s most talked-about stories in 2024, but unfortunately, his comeback tour never got off the ground.

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Playing as a wildcard, he failed to register a single point across 23 events. While his name alone still draws attention, his route back to LIV will depend entirely on whether he can prove he’s capable of competing at a high level again—or if LIV keeps him around purely as a curiosity.

Frederik Kjettrup

The young Dane tied for 55th in the standings and simply didn’t produce enough results to keep pace with LIV’s compressed field.

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He’s still early in his career, though, and a strong showing at the Promotions Event could get him back on tour sooner than later.

What Comes Next?

Being “booted” from LIV isn’t necessarily a death sentence for these players. The Promotions Event later this year offers a lifeline, and given the names involved—especially Stenson, Pereira, and Kim—fans will be watching closely.

LIV thrives on storylines, and nothing stirs the pot quite like a big-name comeback attempt.

Still, the message is clear: in LIV Golf, past glory doesn’t protect you. If you don’t perform, you’re out—and someone else is waiting to take your spot.