A rule change for 2024 however ensured the former PGA Tour star was apart of the relegation process

It proved to be a week – and season – to forget for five members on the LIV Golf circuit, after their relegation from the breakaway league was confirmed following the end of play at LIV Chicago on Sunday evening.

The final event of regular season came to a close at Bolingbrook Golf Club, with Jon Rahm crowned the individual champion in his first year with the Saudi-backed circuit. Rahm saw off the challenge of Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann, to ensure he got his hands on the £14 million ($18m) bonus.

Bubba Watson

The biggest name to taste the drop on Sunday was two-time major champion Bubba Watson. It had been first thought that Watson would be exempt from the dumping, after captains were safe from relegation in 2023. A rule change for 2024 however ensured the former PGA Tour star was apart of the relegation process.

There is one loophole Watson can take advantage of though. Whilst captains are no longer exempt, they are able to appeal their relegation to their team, with Watson now required to file a case to the RangeGoats board as to why he should be offered a reprieve to play in 2025.

Branden Grace

One man who is however not able to submit a case for return is Branden Grace. One of LIV’s first ever winners in Portland back in 2022, Grace’s form could not be further from what he showed in the league’s maiden season, having finished dreaded drop zone.

The Stinger GC star does have two pathways back into the LIV league for 2025, but he will be required to win either the Asian Tour’s International Series Order of Merit, or play his way back in via the league’s qualifying school, LIV Golf Promotions later this winter.

Kalle Samooja

One player who took full advantage of the LIV Promotions event back in 2023 was Kalle Samooja, after the Finnish star earned one of the three spots on offer at the qualifying event for 2024. He has failed to make the most of his first season with the league though, ending it in the drop zone.

It appeared that he was going to escape relegation during Sunday’s final round, however a bogey at his last hole of the day – and season – ensured he fell back into the drop zone, swapping spots with Pat Perez.

Like Samooja, Kieran Vincent also earned his LIV spot via the promotional event last December, but again replicated his fellow competitor by falling to relegation in his first season. Despite enjoying plenty of team success with Rahm’s Legion XIII, the Zimbabwean failed to get his campaign going individually.

Scott Vincent

It was a bad day all round for the Vincent family, as Kieran’s older brother Scott was also one of the five relegated players. The Iron Heads star was one of LIV’s founding members, having competed in the league’s first ever event at Centurion just over two years ago.

Three campaigns later however, his time with the Saudi-funded circuit is over after finishing in a tie for 23rd alongside his brother at LIV Chicago on Sunday.