Many players on the breakaway circuit run the risk of being demoted, and Greg Norman reminded them just in time with three events remaining in the regular LIV Golf season.
In light of the fact that several celebrities risk being demoted from the breakaway circuit, Greg Norman has urged the players who are having trouble on the LIV Golf circuit to “pull their socks up.”
With three tournaments remaining in the regular season, including this week’s match at LIV Golf UK, several players might be dropped from the Saudi-backed professional circuit. Through the league’s drop zone, a total of four players will be demoted, requiring them to play golf somewhere else in 2025.
Presently, Branden Grace, Scott Vincent, Kieran Vincent, and Kalle Samooja are the four players who hold the relegation slots in the individual standings; the latter two are the only ones who earned their spots after being promoted from Q-School last winter.
Naturally, those who are just out of the relegation zone are also in danger; Mito Pereira, Pat Perez, Jinichiro Kozuma, Harold Varner III, and others are all dangerously close to the finish line. LIV CEO Norman has alerted his playing quota that time is running out since there isn’t much golf left to play.
The former world No. 1 stated, “We are in the meat and bones of the season,” during the LIV broadcast’s second round. “Players are aware that things may swiftly change and that relegation is imminent. These guys need to get their act together and get going because they are on the verge of something.”
Four players have been demoted, which creates space for new players to join Saudi Arabia. The LIV league has drawn some of the biggest names in golf since its launch in June 2022, and Norman claims that there are still players who are interested in joining but are still on the outside looking in.
“We were aware that we needed to establish this avenue of opportunity for the upcoming generation,” Norman continued. “And right now, there are players experiencing FOMO [fear of missing out].” They’re eager to enter. The players who are already in are aware of the FOMO that makes them want to stay in and not want to leave.
“On the driving ranges, I can see the intensity. You can see it getting better every day—practice rounds, first rounds, and even this morning.” Additionally, if a player’s contract with the breakaway league expires, they run the risk of losing their status if they place outside of the top 24 in the rankings.
Bubba Watson, who has battled to find his best form since moving, seems to have a chance to suffer this fate despite being a captain. The CEO continued, saying, “You see the players there, they understand they are in the relegation zone. I spent the entire day yesterday watching Bubba Watson, for instance. You don’t believe he’s under strain because you can see the ups and downs in his face. Yes, he is under pressure.