The divisive LIV Golf tour continues to hand out huge sums of money to rebel stars as the sport’s civil war shows little sign of slowing. Despite an apparent agreement between the Saudi-backed organisation and the PGA Tour, talks have been slow with players seemingly still in the dark over a potential resolution.
But while some continue to rake in the millions, others have been left wondering what might have been. Overall, 13 players have graced Greg Norman’s venture only to be ruthlessly axed, with Kieran Vincent, Bubba Watson, Branden Grace, Scott Vincent and Kalle Samooja now also facing relegation for 2025 due to being at the wrong end of the individual standings.
The quartet will be given a chance to win their LIV spot back for next year via the promotions tournament. Otherwise, they will need to try and win their LIV card back on the Asian Tour.
Express Sport looks into LIV’s forgotten men, and reveals just how much they made before being forced to return to the status quo….
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Oliver Bekker
The South African was one of the initial one-hit wonders on the LIV Golf circuit, playing the inaugural event at Centurion only to promptly return to the DP World Tour. He made £611,000 for finishing tied-sixth at St Albans, and has now come close to matching that sum at a tournament since.
Ratchanon Chantananuwat
Arrived on the scene in style in April 2022 when at 15, he became the youngest every winner of an OWGR event at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. That secured him a LIV invite for Centurion, and he returned home with around £104,650 after being tied for 38th. Like Bekker, not been seen on the rebel tour since.
Oliver Fisher
The teenager was one of five players to finish in that position on 11 over par, with another being Englishman Oliver Fisher. Like Chantananuwat he banked a cheque for just over £104,650, and would have been glad he did after promptly returning to Europe and missing the cut at the BMW International Open.
Pablo Larrazabal
Another one-time LIV merchant, but did at least do better than the previous three names at their opening salvo. Was tied-13th at the end on two over par, which was worth £275,000.
Viraj Madappa
Now back on the Asian Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India, Madappa is another unlikely to ever play again for the kind of prize money he did at Centurion. Was tied-30th and made £118,500.
Andy Ogletree
Has the notorious distinction of finishing last at Centurion, but his 24 over par disaster still made him more than £92,300. He later bounced back in style by winning their 2023 International Series Order of Merit to re-earn his spot at LIV for 2024, and was 33rd in the overall standings this season. His overall career LIV earnings now stand at around a massive £3.5million, proving perseverance is worth it.
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JC Ritchie
The South African was tied-17th at Centurion, made £177,000, but unlike Ogletree was never invited again by Greg Norman and co. Little sign of a recall either as he continues to struggle on the DP World Tour and Challenge Tour.
Blake Windred
Like Chantananuwat and Fisher, finished 38th at Centurion. Like Chantananuwat and Fisher, was handed around £104,650 for his efforts. Like Chantananuwat and Fisher, has not since made a penny more from LIV Golf.
Kevin Yuan
Yuan finished tied-33rd at LIV’s big debut, level in fact with the likes of Phil Mickelson. Did receive just short of £113,000 for doing so, but unlike ‘Big Phil’, the Saudi-backed tour have not needed him since.
Jediah Morgan
Won the Australasia Tour order of merit in 2022 to earn a full-time with LIV Golf circuit for the following season. The 24-year-old Australian couldn’t avoid individual relegation and is now back with his status quo, but only after making a cool £3.5million from his 22 events.
Chase Koepka
Another to spend the 2023 campaign with LIV Golf, and despite being relegated foe ending up 48th individually, fair to say his surname paid dividends. Was handed a place on brother Brooks’ Smash GC team which helped contribute to overall earnings of £5.1m.
James Piot
A rarity on this list - someone who spent two seasons with LIV in both 2022 and 2023. Was relegated last year after being 47th in the standings, but now back on the Asian Tour having become £3.2m richer because of the rebel tour.
Sihwan Kim
The American made slightly more with £3.3m, the majority of which came through his Heads GC team. Hopefully he’s banked it wisely as after finishing 50th and last in the individual LIV standings in 2023, his form has since been patchy at best.
