LIV Golf has reportedly told all newly contracted players they must play in at least two International Series events on the Asian Tour from the 2026 season onwards — as well as all 14 events on the LIV Golf League.
The update was confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) by Flushing It, a well-known and often reliable golf insider with close connections to the Saudi-bankrolled league.
The rule marks the clearest sign yet that LIV Golf and the Asian Tour’s International Series are becoming fully intertwined — and it’s a huge boost for the Asia-based circuit that has served as a feeder into LIV since 2022.
From 2026, any player signing a fresh LIV Golf contract will be required to compete in at least two International Series tournaments in a season, alongside their full LIV schedule.
The move formalises what’s already been happening organically. A number of LIV stars including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed have featured in International Series events over the past couple of seasons, but participation has so far been optional. Not so much anymore.
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“Starting in 2026, all newly contracted LIV Golf players will be expected to play a minimum of two International Series events on the Asian Tour as well as the 14 events on the LIV Golf League,” writes Flushing It on X.
“A lot of players already support these events, but the partnership between the International Series and the LIV Golf League will only continue to grow in the coming years.”
Dustin Johnson
The latest update is a big win for the Asian Tour’s International Series, which has been backed by LIV Golf’s deep-pocketed owners, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), since its launch in 2022.
When it was first announced, the International Series promised 10 elevated events per year for a decade — each carrying prize purses between $1.5-$2 million. It’s also been the gateway for players into LIV Golf, with the season-long Order of Merit winner earning automatic promotion into the LIV Golf League.
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Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent became the first player to earn that golden ticket back in 2022. After a year on LIV, he lost his spot in 2024 but is now leading the 2025 International Series standings and looks on course for a quick return in 2026.
The International Series is currently heading to the Philippines this week, with both Johnson and Reed in the field. The 2025 season has been shortened to nine events after the Cambodia stop two weeks ago was cancelled due to political tensions with Thailand.
International Series 2025: Top 5 in standings
Pos
Name
Points
Played
1
Scott Vincent
306.04
5
2
Lucas Herbert
202.95
2
3
Wade Ormsby
195.00
4
4
Ollie Schniederjans
183.15
3
5
Carlos Ortiz
180.00
2
VIEW FULL RANKINGS
With LIV’s new mandate kicking in from 2026, it’s clear the Asian Tour’s flagship series is about to gain even more star power, and a much higher profile on the global golf calendar.
The change doesn’t come out of nowhere though, and there are several strategic and financial reasons behind LIV’s latest tightening of the ropes.
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Let’s take a closer look at them…
Why LIV Golf has made this moveBuilding a global footprint: LIV has always been marketed as a world tour, and linking directly with the International Series cements its reach into Asia and the Middle East — regions central to the PIF’s vision of globalising the game.Strengthening its own pipeline: The International Series has already proven an effective feeder into LIV. Requiring new signings to play in those events reinforces the connection and gives relegated players a clear route back into the league.Boosting OWGR access: With LIV Golf still lacking Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, many of its players have used Asian Tour events to maintain ranking relevance. Since the International Series offers OWGR points, this requirement keeps LIV players plugged into that ecosystem.Ending the DP World Tour indemnity: As Flushing It points out, LIV’s indemnity policy — which covered the fines of players banned or penalised by the DP World Tour — expires at the end of 2025. Once that safety net disappears, expect more LIV golfers to turn to the Asian Tour instead.
The practical upshot is that LIV’s 2026 rookies will be busier than ever.
Every new signing will now be expected to play 16 events per season minimum — 14 on LIV, plus two on the International Series.
That’s before factoring in major championships or personal commitments.
While the move will strengthen LIV’s ties in Asia, it will also mean more travel, tighter scheduling, and potentially less downtime for players used to LIV’s relaxed calendar.
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However, for many players, the upside is clear. More events mean more prize money, more OWGR points, and more opportunities to build form outside of LIV’s 54-hole format.
It’s also likely to give smaller Asian Tour events a huge shot in the arm, as marquee names like DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann, Sergio Garcia and Cameron Smith could soon be teeing it up in new markets across Asia and the Middle East.
Furthermore, there will also still be opportunities for many LIV Golf players to still compete on the DP World Tour. Only those without full membership for 2026, such as Garcia, who has had to forfeit his membership after not playing in enough regular events this season, will need to rely on invites.
Garcia last week spoke exclusively to GolfMagic to talk about his DP World Tour exit and hopes for a Ryder Cup return in the future.
Sergio Garcia
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Flushing It also praised the wider impact of LIV’s influence on golf outside of the traditional US and European circuits in his latest tweet.
“There has been lots of talk and narratives about the negative effects of LIV Golf’s arrival, but the positive impact it’s had on the Asian Tour and non-US markets cannot be ignored. It’s huge!”
And he’s not wrong either.
The International Series has already helped rejuvenate professional golf across Asia, providing new pathways, bigger prize funds, and exposure for emerging players — all while giving LIV a steady stream of talent.
Starting in 2026, all newly contracted LIV Golf players will be expected to play a minimum of 2 International Series events on the Asian Tour as well as the 14 events on the LIV Golf League. A lot of players already support these events, but the partnership between the… https://t.co/iKw3ZJgoCm pic.twitter.com/RXFm3TeUQi
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) October 21, 2025
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Flushing It has also confirmed LIV Golf is close to re-signing the majority of its out-of-contract players, including all of its biggest names.
Several franchises are understood to be recruiting new talent for 2026 using data-driven scouting models inspired by the sports-betting world to identify players suited to LIV’s team format.
At least six spaces are left to be filled on LIV Golf for 2026, according to reports.
Over the last few weeks, LIV Golf have been in discussions with all out of contract players who have not been released by their teams or relegated. Sources have confirmed that most of them have already agreed new deals and all of them are expected to do so, including the star… https://t.co/BNK9jHMlnx pic.twitter.com/orrQEbyLun
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) October 21, 2025
It should be noted PIF is no longer stumping up huge signing-on fees for players to join the LIV Golf League like it has done prevously with the likes of its poster boys Rahm, DeChambeau, Koepka, Johnson and Phil Mickelson.
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Rahm is understood to have accepted a fee in the region of $300m to join LIV Golf in 2024, while DeChambeau and Koepka joined for around half that in 2022.
Rahm is the star man on the LIV Golf League
LIV Golf has just wrapped up its fourth full season, and the fifth season will begin under the lights in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 5-7 February 2026.
Rahm will be looking to make history with a third straight LIV Individual Championship title. Remarkably, the Spaniard didn’t win a single individual event in 2025, but 12 top-10s in 13 starts were enough to edge out Niemann, who racked up an impressive five wins.
With Rahm’s consistency, Niemann’s firepower, and a fresh influx of talent expected to join the league through promotion and new contracts, LIV’s fifth season is shaping up to be its biggest yet — and now, its most globally connected.
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GolfMagic Verdict
LIV Golf’s new International Series requirement is a smart, strategic move. It strengthens its alliance with the Asian Tour, gives players valuable ranking opportunities, and reinforces its global expansion narrative.
It will also ensures LIV’s investment in the International Series continues to deliver with star power, stronger fields, and more world-class venues.
For the Asian Tour, it’s a massive win too. For the players, it’s a busier schedule, and for golf fans, it’s a clear sign that LIV’s global footprint is only getting bigger.
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