Bubba Watson warned he could be 'kicked out' of LIV Golf over key issue

Bubba Watson is on the brink as the LIV Golf season's regular finale looms, with the golfer himself acknowledging the possibility of being 'kicked out' from his RangeGoats squad.

Despite languishing in the dreaded drop zone, it's anticipated that Watson will retain his place in LIV Golf, given that team captains are shielded from one of the four relegation spots . However, this safety net doesn't entirely mitigate concerns over his performance, especially since he has previously stood out as a two-time Masters winner and a significant player on the PGA Tour.

Watson, who is inching towards retirement and drifting from his peak years, has openly stated that he would relinquish his playing role in the Saudi-funded series if his teammates desired it.

• LIV Golf's Greg Norman eyes further acquisitions with two PGA Tour icons targeted

• LIV Golf stars given $18m Greg Norman warning as 2024 season reaches climax in Chicago

"I told my team if they don't think I am good enough to play, they can kick me out and we will put another good golfer in my place," Watson said last August after a challenging stretch in 2023. "I am going to play until they kick me out. I love helping the young guys.

"They are all trying to be better and also better at golf. I get to influence three golfers in life, they are all parents and young dads. I want to be there for them and if they have a problem, I want to be able to help them," reports the Mirror .

Time will tell if Watson transitions to a non-playing role. He is in charge of the RangeGoats, and it looks like LIV's top brass will stick with their teams even after they hang up their clubs. Watson was one of the first to join the Rebel League in 2022, taking charge of his own squad.

Watson, who joined LIV in its inaugural season, along with the other team captains, signed a three-year playing deal, making them exempt from relegation. Take Lee Westwood, for instance; last year, the Majesticks' co-captain avoided relegation despite a less-than-stellar finish in 2023.

This year, however, is more complicated for Watson. His contract situation means he won't face relegation, but his three-year deals ticking down, set to expire before 2025 rolls around. With Watson in poor form, it's not clear whether his services will be retained.

With Watson's future up in the air, LIV's CEO Greg Norman pointed out his rough patch, acknowledging the pressure on the 45-year-old's shoulders. "You look at the players that are in that zone," Norman remarked while making the rounds at LIV Golf UK back in July.

"They know they're in that zone, the relegation zone Bubba Watson, for example, I watched Bubba on TV all day yesterday. You can see his face going up and down, so you don't think he's under pressure. Damn right he's under pressure." Watson does of course have this week's event in Chicago to turn his form around, as well as the Team Championship in Dallas a week later.

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .