The LIV Golf season is heating up, and some big names are in danger of being relegated.
Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Henrik Stenson are all at risk of being dumped from the league if they don’t improve their standings.
Sam Horsfield, their teammate, discusses the pressure and the team’s strategy to avoid relegation.
With only two regular-season events left, the stakes are high, and the tension is palpable.
Will Poulter, Westwood, and Stenson be able to save their spots, or will they become the first high-profile casualties of LIV Golf’s relegation system?
Could Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood find themselves facing relegation from LIIV Golf this season? Sam Horsefield, a teammate on the Majestics team, is keeping a close eye on the standings as the final two regular season events loom. With only two tournaments remaining, the pressure is mounting for players to secure their positions in the league. While Horsefield himself is in a relatively comfortable 37th place heading into this week’s Chicago event, his fellow captains Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are in more precarious spots, sitting at 51st and 46th, respectively. We’ve all gotten along great over the past 3 years, Horsefield shared with NCG. I’m confident that regardless of what happens, our bond will remain strong, but let’s see how things shake out over the next few weeks. Horsefield emphasized his desire for the team to perform well, noting that finishing 12th in the team standings is unacceptable. Our main goal is to climb out of the slump and make a strong showing in Indianapolis. Earlier in the week, James Corrian from the Daily Telegraph reported a significant change in LIIV’s rules regarding relegation. Unlike previous seasons, captains are now subject to the same relegation criteria as other players. This adjustment came in response to the Bubba Gate controversy of 2024 where Rangegoats captain Bubba Watson narrowly avoided relegation despite finishing 53rd. Watson managed to stay in the league by presenting a compelling case to the LIIV leadership, a privilege not afforded to other players in similar situations. According to what I’ve been told, whether you’re a captain or not, you’re out if you finish below 48th. Horsefield explained, “I think this is the right approach. It ensures fairness and accountability across the board. This rule change adds an intriguing twist to the end of the LIV golf season, potentially affecting not only regular players, but also influential figures like Poulter, Westwood, and Henrik Stenson. All three recently stepped down from their DP World Tour memberships, cementing their status as European golfing legends. Should they face relegation, they may have the option to compete in future European tour events, albeit at a steep cost in fines. The DP World Tour secured the authority to impose financial penalties on players who joined LIIV through a legal hearing in London. As LIIV Golf prepares to reapply for official World Golf ranking points, the league’s relegation system remains under scrutiny. In 2023, the OWGR board rejected LIIV’s application, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two circuits. In preparation for the possibility of new teammates joining the Majestics, Horsefield mentioned that the team’s manager, James Dunley, is actively seeking talented young English golfers. We’ve had discussions about potential changes and improvements, Horsefield said. But who knows, maybe our current players will surprise us and secure top finishes this week. Horsefield’s own future with LIIV Golf remains uncertain. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, he expressed uncertainty about his prospects for 2026. It’s up to the Majestics, he admitted. We’ve talked about it, but we won’t know for sure until the end of the year. The Majestics also face the possibility of missing out on the match play portion of the season ending team championship in Detroit, Michigan. Teams ranked 12th and 13th after the Indianapolis event will compete in a qualifier on August 20th with only the winner advancing to the main event starting on August 22nd. Horsefield acknowledged the need for improvement. We need to step up our game and avoid that qualifier. He said, “We’ve performed decently in the past, so let’s build on that.” The upcoming events in Chicago, Indianapolis, and Michigan will be crucial in determining the Majestic’s fate. As the season draws to a close, the question remains, will Palter and Westwood manage to stay in the league, or will they face the challenge of relegation? What do you think about LIIV Golf’s relegation rules? Share your thoughts on
