Dustin Johnson may well be set to lose his LIV Golf teammate Pat Perez to the circuit's drop zone, just months after handing the 48-year-old a contract to remain with the 4Aces.
Johnson and his 4Aces teammates proved to be a dominant force in the inaugural LIV season, with the captain being crowned individual champion, as well as clinching the team championship at the $50 million season finale in Miami. This impressive form then continued in 2023, ending the regular season top of the team standings before being pipped by Crushers GC.
Following the end of the 2023 campaign last October, former PGA Tour star Perez found himself 28th in the season-long standings, ensuring he entered free agency following his initial deal with the breakaway league.
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His future heading into the 2024 season remained unclear, but he was offered a lifeline by his captain Johnson, who resigned Perez to the 4Aces for a third-straight campaign. Having earned his captain's trust, Perez told LIVGolf.com at the time: "Couldn’t be more excited. It’s phenomenal to remain a part of LIV. I’m very grateful...
"I think DJ saw the effort. And I think he likes having me on the team. I’m honored to get the deal and have another year. I’m going to try just as hard next season, if not harder.” Almost a year on however Perez's future is once again in doubt, this time as he faces the prospect of relegation.
As things stand, Perez sits just two spots outside of the drop zone with four events of the regular season left to play. The three-time PGA Tour winner created some breathing space for himself in Nashville last week though, finishing in a tie for 14th at The Grove, carding eight-under-par across the three rounds.
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This was just the second time Perez had broken into the top 15 in nine starts on the Saudi-backed circuit this campaign, having struggled to find his best form so far in 2024. Perez is not alone though, with the 4Aces failing to replicate the performances that made them such a dominant force in 2022 and 2023.
Despite the struggles, Perez has no doubts about his and his teammates' work ethic. We just haven't played that well," he said in Houston this month. "I haven't played well really - it's not for - I don't really know why. I haven't put any less work in. I've actually worked just as much as I have my whole career.
"I just haven't really seen any scores, haven't really gotten on any streaks to get it going. Just as a team we haven't had low enough scores. With the caliber of players that are out there and the teams that are playing well, we just haven't matched them for three days."
Johnson too has been far from his best so far this season too, despite victory in Las Vegas earlier this year. Having missed the cut at the recent U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Johnson's struggles continued in Nashville last week after the former world No. 1 finished the tournament in a tie for 51st.
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