by LIV Golf has caused a stir after it was reported that their promotional event will only offer qualifiers one spot on their 2025 roster. At last year’s event, the top three finishers were promised a competitive spot, but golfers were told only the winner would be rewarded.
According to Bunkered, the Saudi-backed league is ready to confirm further details about the Q-School event, which will take place in Riyadh in December.
In 2023, Kalle Samooja, Jinichiro Kozuma and Kieran Vincent received golden tickets after qualifying. This time, however, the hopefuls’ chances were limited by the LIV organizers.
Two of those players – Samooja and Vincent – were eventually relegated and will now have to find somewhere else to play.
Vincent finished ahead of only Hudson Swafford, Anthony Kim and Ben Campbell in the standings, while Swafford – who has since been released – cannot return to the PGA Tour. Samooja finished 49th overall and was one of six players who ended up in the relegation zone.
Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson was among those who made it into the bottom six, but the American is exempt from relegation because he is team captain.
LIV is also exploring the idea of adding a 14th team to the event after Jon Rahm was given permission to create his own team, Legion XIII, when he signed his major contract with LIV in 2023.
LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman said: “Those who have participated in the LIV Golf League consistently share similar feedback: the energy, camaraderie and global competition have created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for players to achieve their dreams at the highest level level.
“LIV Golf Promotions is offering aspiring players and top competitors around the world another opportunity to experience a life-changing season with LIV, and we are excited to see who will compete in Riyadh this year.”
Another change will see the promotional event played at a different venue, with the breakaway league taking place at the Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia. It was previously based at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.
However, the format remains the same, with the qualifying tournament being played over 72 holes over three days of golf action starting December 12th. The final two rounds will take place on Sunday December 14th.
Category A, which focuses heavily on the best amateurs in the world, will compete in the event in the first round. Eligible participants include members of the 2023 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams, as well as winners and runners-up from the world’s largest amateur events.
The top five players from the Japan Golf Tour, KPGA Korean Tour, Sunshine Tour and PGA Tour of Australasia will also be present, with the top three exempt until the second round. In Category B, players come in a round later on the second day.
