Five PGA Tour champs who could be next LIV Golf rebels as pair 'in talks' over move
With six roster spots to fill, LIV Golf is reportedly in talks with two recent PGA Tour winners about a potential move to the breakaway series ahead of the new season
LIV Golf is reportedly in discussions with two recent PGA Tour champions about joining the breakaway league. Six roster spots are still up for grabs ahead of LIV's next season.
The Saudi-backed circuit is said to be in talks with a pair of unnamed Tour title winners in an attempt to boost their ranks. While these discussions are still in the early stages, fans are buzzing with speculation about who might be making the move.
We take a look at some recent event winners that LIV could potentially lure, including a host of Ryder Cup stars and a reigning major champion. It comes as one PGA Tour star prepares to make his return after a seven-month lay off.
Steven Fisk
Fisk, who clinched his first PGA title since turning pro in 2019 earlier this month, could be one of the two players in talks with LIV, as reported by Golf Digest.
Fisk triumphed over Garrick Higgo to win the Sanderson Farms Championship in the first week of October. He only secured his tour card last year and had only won once before, on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Banking prize money of around $1 million from his win, he might be tempted to sign with LIV for another big payday. His victory also earned him a spot in next year's PGA Championship, which wouldn't change if he decided to join LIV.
However, this win guarantees him his tour card until the end of the 2027 season. If he were to switch to LIV, he would also miss out on a spot at the Players Championship.
J. J. Spaun
LIV is known for its pursuit of major winners, and this year, Ryder Cup star J.J. Spaun made a significant leap by winning the US Open. Prior to this season, Spaun had only one Tour victory under his belt at the 2022 Valero Texas Open.
He kicked off the season on a high note, narrowly losing to Rory McIlroy at The Players. However, he triumphed in a challenging US Open at Oakmont, securing a major prize.
Spaun also lost to Justin Rose in a playoff at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He made his Ryder Cup debut a month later after automatically qualifying.
If LIV wants to make waves, Spaun could be the perfect choice. He would join his Team USA teammate Bryson DeChambeau on the Saudi tour.
Cameron Young
Another potential Team USA target for LIV is Cameron Young. The 28-year-old had an outstanding performance at the US Open, finishing T4, but went even further at the Wyndham Championship in August.
Young won his first Tour title at Sedgefield, pocketing just over $1.3M for the victory. This was a long-awaited win as he had been close in several events since his rookie season in 2022.
His Ryder Cup debut was impressive, and LIV might want to add another American star to their roster. However, this move would require a change of heart from Young, who has previously dismissed rumors linking him to the breakaway circuit.
Sepp Straka
Austrian sensation Sepp Straka, who represented Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, bagged his third and fourth PGA Tour victories this year, most notably the Truist Championship in May.
This win pocketed Straka a cool $3.6M in prize money. The 32-year-old appears quite comfortable on Tour, but a Ryder Cup team-mate could attempt to coax him over to LIV.
Jon Rahm switched to LIV in 2024 and now leads the Legion XIII GC team. Both Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton from Team Europe are members, and with a spot open, Rahm might try to recruit Straka to complete their lineup.
Chris Gotterup
American hotshot Chris Gotterup turned pro only in 2022 but has had a meteoric rise in the past year. He clinched the Myrtle Beach Classic in 2024 and added the Genesis Scottish Open to his trophy cabinet in July.
Fending off Masters champ McIlroy was no small feat when he crossed the Atlantic. His performance at the British Open was equally impressive, nearly doubling his total Tour earnings in just two weeks.
If LIV is looking to recruit a rising star, Gotterup would be an ideal choice. He currently ranks as the world No. 26, a significant leap from being outside the top 150 before his Scottish Open victory.