Former Ryder Cup star confirms LIV Golf switch

The first major off-season move of the current LIV Golf off-season has been confirmed – and a former Ryder Cup star is at the heart of it.

Thomas Pieters, who joined the Saudi-funded start-up at the beginning of 2023, has moved from Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats to sign with Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC.

The deal is the league’s first official trade since the end of the 2024 season and was announced by the 4Aces on its social media channels.

“[I’m] happy to have Thomas on the team,” Johnson said. “He’s a great addition, great player and makes the team stronger. Really excited for next season.”

Pieters added: “I’m super-excited about playing for DJ and I look forward to push him as hard as I can.”

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The big-hitting Belgian becomes the first non-American on the 4Aces roster since the inaugural LIV Golf tournament in London in 2022, when two South Africans and an Australian were part of Johnson’s drafted roster.

After a fifth-place finish, Johnson overhauled the line-up for the second event in Portland, Oregon, adding fellow major winner Patrick Reed, along with Talor Gooch and Pat Perez.

That 4Aces lineup went on to win four consecutive tournaments, then capped off the 2022 season by claiming the team championship.

Reed and Perez have been part of the 4Aces since they joined LIV Golf, with Peter Uihlein (2023) and Harold Varner III (2024) filling the other spot after Gooch left to join the RangeGoats following the 2022 season.

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The 4Aces hope the addition of Pieters will help return them to the top of the team standings while also broadening the team’s popularity beyond North America.

“I’m excited to welcome Thomas to the team,” said 4Aces GM Chris Rosaasen. “He’s a solid player with multiple wins in his career. His Ryder Cup record shows he excels in team golf. He’s going to be a great fit for the 4Aces brand both on and off the course.”

RangeGoats GM Randall Wells added: “The decision to trade Thomas Pieters was not easy. He has been a valuable member of RangeGoats GC since we launched two years ago.

“But the nature of LIV and team golf requires teams to make tough decisions. Like other team sports, we have to take into account a host of factors, including player contracts and the fact we have a limited number of roster spots.

“In this case, we felt the roster flexibility and the possibilities it opens up was best for the RangeGoats.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor