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    Six LIV Golf stars facing relegation from breakaway league as brutal dumping looms

    By Joshua Lees,

    9 hours ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3npavg_0vRkIioj00

    The regular season finale of LIV Golf in Chicago is set to determine the individual champion of the breakaway league's 2024 season this week. However, there's also a lot at stake at the bottom of the leaderboard .

    Just like last season, four players from LIV will lose their playing rights on the Saudi-backed circuit. Those who finish below the drop zone by the end of play at Bolingbrook on Sunday will face relegation, with a total of four members expected to be dropped.

    Currently, eight players are below the drop zone line, but half of them have exemptions that will prevent them from being among the four relegated competitors.

    Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson is one of them. Despite struggling to replicate the form that made him a major winner since joining the LIV setup, he will avoid relegation due to his status as one of the league's 15 captains.

    Additionally, the three wildcard players who have participated in the LIV circuit this year - Laurie Canter, Anthony Kim, and Hudson Swafford - are also exempt from relegation. However, not everyone is so lucky, with players on both sides of the drop zone line facing the risk of relegation, reports the Mirror .

    Here's a look at the six stars who are fighting for their futures this week.

    Kieran Vincent

    Kieran Vincent secured his spot on the LIV roster for 2024 after triumphing in the breakaway league's inaugural qualifying event in the Middle East last winter. Following this, he was snapped up by Jon Rahm to join the newly-formed Legion XIII.

    While the team has impressed in the standings, Vincent himself has struggled, currently sitting at the bottom of the individual rankings. His best performance of the season was a tie for 18th place at LIV Nashville in June, and he now faces a tough battle to retain his playing rights for 2025.

    Kalle Samooja

    Former DP World Tour competitor Kalle Samooja also earned his place on the LIV setup through LIV Golf Promotions last December. However, he too has found it difficult to adjust to life on the breakaway circuit and is second from bottom with just one event left to play.

    Branden Grace

    South African Branden Grace was one of the first to benefit from LIV's £3 million ($4m) winning payouts, having been crowned the 2022 LIV Portland champion in the league's maiden season. However, two years later, he has been unable to replicate this success and risks becoming the first LIV winner to lose their playing rights.

    Scott Vincent

    Scott Vincent, Kieran's older brother and another Zimbabwean player, is also at risk of being dropped. Since 2022, he has been a part of all three LIV seasons, being one of the first stars to commit to the Saudi-funded series.

    However, he now risks not making it into the fourth year as he currently sits in the final spot of the 2024 drop zone.

    Pat Perez

    Pat Perez, a veteran member of the class of 2022, could also be on the verge of losing his LIV tour card. The former PGA Tour star has had a successful run since switching to the Saudi side, even helping Dustin Johnson's 4Aces win the inaugural Team Championship two years ago.

    This season, however, has been more challenging for Perez, who enters the final event of the regular season just one spot above the drop zone.

    Harold Varner III

    Harold Varner III, another member of the 4Aces, is also in danger of being dropped from the LIV setup for 2025. Just over a year ago, Varner III was crowned champion at LIV Washington D.C. His performance in 2024, however, has been far from his D.C. heroics, with the American needing a strong showing in Chicago to avoid falling into a relegation spot.

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    Comments / 6
    Add a Comment
    Teresa Elswick
    3h ago
    Fake league anyway..hope you enjoyed that money boys...lol
    sixtysix
    3h ago
    What’s LIV golf? Oh that’s right, the shit league pickle tits Mickelson plays in.
    View all comments
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