LIV Golf just added a new player through a promotion

LIV Golf has a new member.

The league held a 36-hole promotion final in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, selecting a winner from a preliminary field of 92 players. The 30-year-old Asian Tour professional Li Jiebo (often known as “Max”) had a low-key performance on the day, beating an international crowd that included former LIV pros, Asian Tour talents and elite players. Tour pro.

Lee shot a 7-under 64 in the morning to take a two-stroke lead in Saturday's back-to-back tournament at Riyadh Golf Club, where the field has been reduced to 20 players. He then finished the afternoon at three under and birdied the par-3 17th to advance to LIV for the first time. He will become the first Taiwanese player in LIV.

“It means a lot to me because I've been playing on the Asian Tour for many years and LIV Golf, I think that's every player's goal, every player's goal,” Lee said. LIV has maintained a cooperative relationship with the Asian Tour to provide funds for its affiliated international series and recommend the winner of the series to LIV. “On the LIV Tour, I think every player is very strong. I think I can learn something. I will learn something.

LIV's downgraded pros.

Lee's promotion marks the end of the road for some of LIV's relegated players – at least for now. Branden Grace, Kieran Vincent, Scott Vincent, Kalle Samooja and Bubba Watson were eliminated at the end of the LIV season, but have the opportunity to return through the promotion. Grace came closest, tying for second at 8 under. They will all receive exemptions from the 2025 Asian Tour International Series.

“Business case”?

However, for at least two of these professionals, there is a lifeline available. LIV admitted that if a team makes a “commercial case” to keep a relegated player, he could return next season. It is thought Watson, who is not involved in the promotion, will return as captain of the Range Goats – a Masters title is often good for business. But LIV also mentioned in the press release after the promotion that Grace may also return through business cases. Time will tell for the two-time PGA Tour winner who has competed in Stinger GC events across South Africa.

Ollie's bid

This week also marks the death of American professional Ollie Schniederjans, who has been a rising star on the PGA Tour for years. Schniederjans last played on Tour in 2019, and you'll remember him as an excellent owner of a stinger and the rare pro who plays without a hat – he's played in the past few In and out of the Korn Ferry Tour during the season and showed he has plenty of games left to play until Saturday, finishing tied for fourth at 5 under.

“I'm very confident in where everything is going, but to step up and do it — I'm going to have to hit a lot of cool putts and shots under pressure, so it's good to see that,” Schneiderjans said. “It definitely gives me more confidence. But I'm confident about my future.

Due to his top-10 finish, he will have the opportunity to compete in the international series. Australians Brett Coletta and Jack Buchanan were tied for fourth at 5 under, while Germany's Max Rottluff was one under. Seventh at 4, South Korea's Soomin Lee and England's David Horsey, tied for 8th at 3 under, will also win the International Series. exemption.

It's unclear which LIV team Lee will join; the league's free agency period has gotten off to a relatively quiet start.

What promotions are currently available at LIV?

It's unclear what the future holds for the promotion. The event was first held last season, ostensibly to quell criticism from the Official World Golf Ranking that LIV had closed. There were three spots last season, but after LIV gave up their pursuit of OWGR points, there is only one spot left this year. Two pro picks promoted last year – Kalle Samooja and Kieran Vincent – were demoted at the end of the year, while a third player, Jinichiro Kozuma, was Ranked 45th in the Medal of Honor. LIV's roster is largely filled through free agency, so mixing in these promoted pros could complicate team building.

LIV's backer, the Saudi PIF, is still in discussions with the PGA Tour as the league prepares for the 2025 season. The first event will be held from February 6 to 8 at Riyadh Golf Club.