English veterans among 20 pros in race to join LIV Golf

There were 93 players bidding to win one of the most lucrative tickets in golf this week. Now just 20 remain. 

The LIV Golf Promotions event in Saudi Arabia reaches it’s conclusion on Saturday – with one player guaranteed a place on the breakaway league in 2025.

Following two knockout rounds on Thursday and Friday, the scores have been reset for a 36-hole shootout at the Riyadh Golf Club.

Former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood fell at the first hurdle as he looks to get his career back on track, while the relegated Kalle Samooja also fell short in round two.

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John Catlin, the Asian Tour order of merit winner, will need to rely on a call from a LIV franchise after the American posted an underwhelming even-par 71.

There was drama in the desert on Friday, however, with six for one playoff between those who finished on three-under-par. Ollie Schniederjans, the former No.1 ranked amateur in the world, claimed the final spot ahead of Saturday’s finale.

Among those still in the mix are Branden Grace, Kieran Vincent and Scott Vincent, who were all relegated from the league in 2024 and have their final shot at a reprieve.

Ben Campbell, the New Zealander who has travelled as a LIV reserve in 2024 and agonisingly missed out on a contract via the Asian Tour’s International Series rankings, is also in the hunt.

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Meanwhile, there are two English veterans who could become additions on the LIV circuit.

David Horsey, the four-time DP World Tour winner who withdrew from the European circuit’s Q School last month, is well poised having backed up his Thursday 68 with a five-under 67.

The 39-year-old will battle it for the LIV golden ticket alongside Steve Lewton, the 41-year-old from Northampton who ended a ten-year wait for a victory at this year’s Indonesia Open on the Asian Tour.

Here is the full list of players still in with a chance of earning a spot on the LIV Golf League…

LIV Golf Promotions 2024 contenders

Ollie Schniederjans
Branden Grace
Ben Campbell
Kieran Vincent
Scott Vincent
David Horsey
Gunn Charoenkul
Jeongwoo Ham
Daihan Lee
Borja Virto
Brett Colett
Steve Lewton
Lee Cheih-po
Suteepat Prateeptienchai
Soomin Lee
Richard Lee
Jack Buchanan
Taichi Kho
Jeunghun Wang
Max Rottluff

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.