Tranlate this title Great migration of LIV Golf players has begun in spanish

It is rare enough to be worth noting: seeing so many LIV Golf players in a DP World Tour tournament is, in itself, somewhat unusual. Yet, is it truly a surprise given the tour’s precarious situation—having been abandoned a few weeks ago by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF)? There are 26 of them competing, ranging from full-season members to reserves stepping in due to the withdrawals or injuries of «regulars.»

LIV Golf, results

Last year, 16 of them teed off at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship—one of the European Tour’s most spectacular events. Played from Thursday to Sunday in a pro-am format, the tournament takes place across three of Scotland’s finest links courses: the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns.

Back then, however, LIV was thriving, and the presence of its «ambassadors» was usually due to invitations or recent strong performances. The story is different now. The «2.0» tour envisioned by CEO Scott O’Neil is clearly in serious trouble. Indeed, many observers close to the situation give the tour—which had overestimated its own strength—only a few weeks of viable life remaining. It is worth recalling that a required number of players must commit to this «2.0» plan by… October 13, 2026. That is less than two weeks away!

For most of these players, the future now lies with the DP World Tour or even the Asian Tour. But certainly not by the PGA Tour, which has firmly shut the door on any potential return for these key players—specifically recent Major winners like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cameron Smith. They might as well show up and try to salvage what they can.

Tyrrell Hatton—a three-time winner in 2016, 2017, and 2024—is undoubtedly the headline act of the LIV Golf contingent. Joining him are Cameron Smith, who failed to make the cut last week at Le Golf National, and Bubba Watson. The Australian (2022 Open Champion at St Andrews) and the American (two-time Masters winner in 2012 and 2014) both competed in the event last year.

The other major draw comes from the English duo of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. This marks their first appearance in a European Tour field since the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January 2023. Their participation follows the settlement last June of the fines imposed on them by the DP World Tour. Now eligible again, they could once more be considered for a future Ryder Cup captaincy role after the 2027 edition at Adare Manor.

Having competed in the FedEx Open de France just days ago, Thomas Detry, Elvis Smylie, Adrian Meronk, Carlos Ortiz, and Frenchman Victor Perez (winner of the 2019 Dunhill Links) are continuing their run in Scotland. They, too, are seriously eyeing a return to the fold in 2027, though the prospect seems less certain for the Mexican player, Ortiz. Of course, this assumes that the 2027 LIV Golf season never comes to pass…