In a media release on LIV Golf’s website, Matt Jones’s name was among those “relegated or without a contract for the following season from the final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings”.
Jones, who finished 40th in individual standings in 2025 and thus in the not (necessarily) contracted “Open Zone” will contest a LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida from January 8-11.
As Ripper captain Cameron Smith told this journal in our December issue: “’Jonesy’ didn’t have the best season this year, and I’m really close with him. I would’ve loved him to have a better season.”
Smith added that he wants to emulate what Jon Rahm’s 2025 champion Legion XIII has done by complementing gun senior players – Rahm, Tyrell Hatton – with two young bucks on the up – Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, 22, and 21-year-old American, Caleb Surrat.
“I guess you just kind of keep an eye on stuff. I’ve kept an eye on things all year, to be honest,” Smith said.
“You’re constantly looking. Jonny Rahm’s team, that’s kind of what we’re trying to replicate.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be next year or in the years to come, but we want to be the best team we can be. And we certainly weren’t this year. So, yeah, maybe there’s some stuff happening.”
PLUS…
Cleary: Why LIV Golf needs Johnny Miller
On a fold-out and aptly-named Lazy Boy lounge, with LIV Golf in HD on a Smart TV, with Cowboys and Dolphins streaming via the magic of Bluetooth (I will not ever fathom how) onto a less smart but still very adequate other TV, and with a cold tinny of beer wedged into the excellent can-holder socket thing on the hand-rest, you could make a case this was the perfect Sunday afternoon.
During the Australian Open, News Ltd broke the news that Ripper GC had approached “Koala” Karl Vilips.
It is likely will have been other feelers out for young Australian professionals.
Chris Wood, 32, may not count as young but the NSW Open champion is among those contesting the LIV Golf Promotions event in January at the Tom Fazio-designed Black Diamond Ranch golf course in Florida.
According to LIV’s website the “top two finishers will earn two highly coveted spots in the LIV Golf League for 2026, as well as $200,000 for first place and $150,000 for second place.
“The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.”
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