Former Open Champion Henrik Stenson has been dramatically relegated from LIV Golf after finishing in the dreaded “Drop Zone” at LIV Golf Indianapolis. The Swede, who gave up his Ryder Cup captaincy to join the Saudi-backed league in 2023, now finds himself without a spot for the 2025 season.
Stenson wasn’t alone. Anthony Kim, Andy Ogletree, Mito Pereira, Yubin Jang, and Frederik Kjettrup were also relegated after struggling to make an impact. For Kim, it’s especially shocking — his much-hyped comeback after 12 years away has ended in disappointment, as he failed to earn a single point across two seasons. 😱
Adding to the drama, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were also in danger but survived thanks to Poulter’s clutch birdie surge on the final holes. Meanwhile, Stenson’s form slump throughout the season left him with just two top-20 finishes, far from the level that once made him a major champion.
With LIV removing the safety net that once protected captains from relegation, the pressure has never been higher. Now, Stenson and the other fallen stars must fight their way back through the Asian Tour’s International Series or the brutal LIV Golf Promotions Event if they want another shot at glory.
🔥 This is one of the biggest shake-ups in LIV Golf history — and it could reshape the careers of some of the game’s most recognizable names.
👉 What do you think: Can Henrik Stenson and Anthony Kim bounce back, or is this the end of the road for them in LIV Golf? Let us know in the comments below!
Henrik Stenson & Anthony Kim RELEGATED from LIV Golf 😱 | Poulter Survives as Stars Lose Spots
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Henrik Stenson’s turbulent run with Elivy Golf has officially come to an end as the former Open champion was one of six players relegated from a league following the conclusion of the season at Elivy Golf Indianapolis. The 48-year-old Swede who made headlines in 2023 when he gave up his RDER Cup captaincy to join the Saudi Back Circuit saw his spot slip away after finishing inside the dreaded drop zone. Alongside him, Andy Ogeltry, Mito Pereira, Eubin Jen, Anthony Kim, and Frederick Jetrop also lost their playing rights. In the early years of LIIV, team captains like Stinson were exempt from relegation, but the league raised the stakes ahead of the 2025 season by scrapping that safety net. Now, anyone outside the top 48 in the individual standings faces the axe, no matter their status. That rule change left the entire mage sticks GC trio of Stinson, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood in danger of losing their spots. When it mattered most, Poulter came up clutch. A late surge of four birdies secured his survival, leaving Stinson as the odd man out. Hter and Westwood both finished tied for 17th, while Stinson fell to T-22, sealing his fate. The reality, however, is that Stinson’s struggles weren’t defined by a single event. Over the course of the 12 event season, the 2016 Open champion produced just two top 20 finishes, never finding the form that once made him one of golf’s most consistent ball strikers. Speaking candidly before the final round, Stinson admitted frustrations were running high within his team. Yeah, I think it’s been a bad season for us. No question. both as individuals and as a team, he said. As you can tell, we’re all kind of bunched up towards the bottom of the order of merit. Everyone’s been unhappy with that position. We tried to finish strong as a team, but obviously it hasn’t been the season we wanted. Stinson’s departure wasn’t the only headline from Indianapolis. Anthony Kim, who made a shock return to golf in 2024 after 12 years away, was also relegated. The American entered LIIV as a high-profile wild card, but after two seasons, he failed to register a single point, raising further questions about his comeback. For Stinson, Kim, and the other relegated players, the road back will not be easy. Their only path to regaining LIIV status will be through the International Series on the Asian Tour or the LIIV Golf Promotions event, a cutthroat qualifying tournament offering just a handful of spots.
