PGA Tour winner Si Woo Kim confirmed that LIV Golf offered him a contract to join the league in 2026, adding that he decided to turn it down. Kim will therefore be playing his 13th season on the PGA Tour starting next January.
Kim’s representatives talked to the South Korean media outlet Maeil Business Newspaper confirming the player’s decision:
“It is true that Si Woo Kim, like many Korean players, has been offered a recruitment. However, Si Woo Kim finally expressed his intention to refuse and decided to remain on the PGA Tour,” Kim’s team said.
Si Woo Kim and the rumors related to LIV Golf
Golf news media Flushing It reported on Wednesday that Kim was in “late-stage negotiations” to sign with LIV and join the Iron Heads GC franchise ahead of the 2026 season.
According to Flushing It’s report, league sources were confident that a deal would be completed, with Kim expected to join Iron Heads GC as part of broader changes to the team’s structure and branding. The four-time PGA Tour winner, who won the 2017 Players Championship and has played in several Presidents Cups, would have been one of LIV’s most accomplished active signings.
“Si Woo Kim’s potential deal with LIV Golf would be to take equity in the rebranded Becko East GC (Ironheads GC), stripping Kevin Na of his captaincy,” Flushing It posted on X. “Sources indicate the hold up is due to Si Woo wanting to bring in his own players, with only Danny Lee’s position being secure for the 2026 season out of the current lineup.”
However, the Flushing It report made it clear that no deal had been reached yet. Ultimately, the negotiations fell through.
Why South Korea matters
LIV is hosted its first South Korean event in 2025 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, part of a wider push into Asian markets and a new partnership with local streaming and e-commerce powerhouse Coupang Play. South Korea features one of Asia’s largest and most engaged golf audiences, with more than 500 courses and a deep track record of producing world-class talent, making a homegrown star like Kim a potential cornerstone for the league’s expansion.
Kim’s profile and impact
Kim’s resume includes four PGA Tour victories, highlighted by his historic win at TPC Sawgrass at age 21 and strong showings in team competitions, making him one of South Korea’s most recognizable male golfers. His move would have provided LIV with a proven winner in his prime, who could have attracted local fans and sponsors while the circuit expanded its presence in Korea.
Sungjae Im quashes rumors
It was also reported that another high-profile South Korean PGA Tour player, alongside Kim, was linked to LIV Golf, prompting speculation about two-time PGA Tour winner Sungjae Im. However, Im pushed back against the rumors on Instagram, denying any imminent switch to LIV and distancing himself from the latest gossip.
Later, a member of Im’s team confirmed to the Maeil Business Newspaper that the Saudi-backed league hadn’t approached the player.
More Golf: Tommy Fleetwood Caps Dream Season with Career-Best World Ranking
