The General Manager of one of the LIV Golf franchises has been inundated with calls from players eager to join the controversial league, hinting at a growing interest as the offseason transfer window gets into full swing.
LIV's latest recruitment period opened its doors earlier this month, offering teams the chance to swap talent and snatch up fresh talent from elsewhere. While it's still up in the air if PGA Tour and DP World Tour athletes will take the leap for 2025, one GM has suggested that the phones are off the hook with enquiries.
"Two guys that had very big offers that are now calling would love to be on [a LIV team] and said that was the worst decision they made is not accepting the offer and coming over," confided an anonymous GM with Sports Illustrated.
According to the insider, rising stars are also in the mix: "Young players that are playing well in the PGA tour, young kids that are coming out of college, that PGA Tour U is a huge, huge thing now and, you know, trying to identify somebody that's potentially looking to turn pro." They followed up by confessing: "My phone's been ringing nonstop."
Related articles
The same source disclosed active negotiations: "Basically since right before Dallas [LIV Team Championship] things are starting to happen from either player directly or agents calling exploring and wanting to look at the possibility of coming on [LIV team]."
While firm agreements have yet to be made public, Mirror Sports reports that buzzworthy announcements could drop in the following weeks.
Five positions have opened up on the LIV roster following the demotion of Bubba Watson (RangeGoats), Kalle Samooja (Cleeks GC), Scott Vincent (IronHeads), Kieran Vincent (Legion XIII), and Branden Grace (Stinger). Watson's case is a bit unique, as the former PGA Tour star is one of the league's 15 captains.
Despite the fact that captains are no longer immune from relegation, Watson has the opportunity to present a business plan to LIV executives about returning to the RangeGoats roster in 2024. The other four vacancies will need to be filled elsewhere, but Samooja, Grace, and the two Vincents can earn their way back through LIV Promotions.
Players in the Open Zone who do not have a contract for 2025 are also at risk of losing their place on the LIV circuit in 2025. Two of Dustin Johnson's 4Aces teammates, Pat Perez and Harold Varner III, fall into this category, and according to reports, Johnson and his team are eager to bring in some fresh talent.
The intriguing situation of LIV wildcards for the next season is still undecided. In 2024, Hudson Swafford and the returning Anthony Kim occupied the two wildcard spots. While there have been rumours that the wildcard slots may change, it is now thought that Kim will regain his playing rights for 2025.
