LIV Golf’s relegation system manufactured drama in the dying moments of the individual season, with a final-hole twist at its Chicago event providing a lifeline to Pat Perez, but also sending two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson packing.

While Jon Rahm took the league’s individual championship and its $18 million bonus over Chile’s Joaquin Niemann in second, the other end of LIV’s roster, they were fighting for playing rights. LIV Golf Chicago was the 13th and final event of LIV’s individual season, while its teams’ finale is next week in Dallas.

Finland’s Kalle Samooja, one of three golfers who earned 2024 LIV Golf status through its inaugural qualifying school late last year, stood on the tee of par-4 first at Bolingbrook Golf Club – hist last hole – needing a par to stay in the league. He was on the bubble at 48th on LIV’s individual standings, knowing players ranked 49th or worse at the conclusion of LIV Chicago would be relegated. Samooja blocked his drive into the native area, pitched out sideways and then burned the edge on a 26-foot par putt.

With a final round of one-over-par 71, Samooja, who played on Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC team, dropped to 49th. Odds were not in Samooja’s favour from the beginning of the final round when he made double-bogey on his opening hole, the par-4 second in LIV’s shotgun start. He rallied through the middle of the round to sit one under with five holes remaining, but bogeyed two of his last three to be sent packing from the 54-hole league.

Samooja’s play allowed former three-time PGA Tour winner Perez to remain on LIV for 2025. At 48th, Perez was placed in the last spot of LIV’s “open zone.” While the top 24 golfers retained status for next year, players who finished 25th to 48th were placed into an open market where they could be traded to other teams. Brendan Steele locked up 24th while Australia’s Lucas Herbert was the first player in the open zone at 25th.

After Samooja, four other players were relegated. Zimbabwean brothers Scott Vincent (50th) and Kieran Vincent (54th), as well as former PGA Tour winner, Brandon Grace of South Africa (51st). Watson, Masters champion in 2012 and 2014, finished in 53rd. Watson faces an exit from LIV’s 2025 playing roster unless he can submit a convincing “business case” that captains can use to stay in the league. But that proposal would have to be approved by the board of his team, RangeGoats.

For relegated players, the most straightforward avenue to return is through the International Series, an order of merit created by 10 designated events on the Asian Tour. John Catlin, a multiple DP World Tour and Asian Tour winner who played as a LIV Golf reserve on several occasions this year, leads that list. In addition to one spot for the International Series’ No.1, LIV will hold a “promotions” event similar to the qualifying school. Last year, three spots were up for grabs via LIV Golf Promotions. Details on this year’s event are yet to be announced but will be held towards the end of 2024.

Main Image: Isaiah Vazquez