LIV Golf’s transfer window: How does it work?

As LIV Golf approaches 2024, the Saudi-backed circuit has launched the game’s first-ever transfer window.

With uncertainty over players’ future, LIV has detailed a brand-new player movement program, including free agents, trades and a draft.

Ahead of its second full season, the league’s unique team and individual formats will contribute to changes across the rosters.

From LIV Golf Promotions in December 2023 to a draft in 2024, here is everything you need to know about LIV Golf’s transfer window.

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Individual standings

LIV Golf’s format contributes to the teams that players represent.

The player with the most points at the end of the season’s final stroke-play event will be crowned the Individual Champion.

In 2023, RangeGoats GC’s Talor Gooch won the Individual Championship after winning three regular-season events.

Those standings will be broken into three categories, with final positions determining a player’s status in the league.

Lock Zone:

Players who finish in the top 24 of the Individual Standings are guaranteed an opportunity to play in LIV Golf the following season.

Open Zone:

Players who finish 25-44 on the Individual Standings will become a free agent if their contract is expiring.

Drop Zone:

Players finishing 45 and below on the Individual Standings will be relegated from the LIV Golf League.

However, they will automatically qualify for LIV Golf Promotions for the chance to earn their spot back on the lucrative circuit.

In 2023, Ripper GC’s Jediah Morgan, HyFlyers GC’s James Piot, Smash GC’s Chase Koepka and Iron Heads GC’s Sihwan Kim became the first quarter to be relegated.

Three phases are linked to the individual categories, determining off-season player movement as teams prepare for the following season.

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Phase One – Contract Extensions:

Despite contract status, players who finish in the Lock Zone will be guaranteed playing rights.

That is because players in the top 24 whose contracts expire at the end of the season will be offered a minimum one-year extension by their current team.

Following the 2023 season, five players are extension-eligible; Peter Uihlein, Anirban Lahiri, Carlos Ortiz, Richard Bland and Scott Vincent.

Should a player in this position choose not to accept the offer from their existing team, he will become a free agent and can sign for any team with an open roster spot.

Phase Two – Free Agency:

Players in the Open Zone whose contracts are expiring at the end of the season will become a free agent.

This gives players two options. They can either be re-signed by their previous team or negotiate with a different team that has an open roster spot.

Following the 2023 season, Pat Perez, David Puig, Matt Jones, Bernd Wiesberger, and Graeme McDowell finished in the Open Zone and are no longer under contract.

Teams are not obligated to re-sign their free agents, though, and instead have several options.

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A team with an open roster spot can sign a top 24 player who opted to enter free agency or any player in the Open Zone whose contract has expired.

Teams can also sign or trade for a player contracted with a different team if both teams agree or sign an external player who was not a part of the 2023 LIV Golf roster.

Free agency will conclude when four open roster spots remain, as they are reserved through Phase Three.

Phase Three – LIV Golf Promotions

The league’s new pathway, LIV Golf Promotions, will take place in Abu Dhabi from December 8-10.

The inaugural tournament will see four rounds of golf played over three days, with plenty on the line.

With an overall prize purse of $1.5 million, the top three finishers will earn a place on LIV Golf for the 2024 season.

That will give exemption into all 14 regular season events in 2024 while leading players from around the world will be eligible to compete.

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Trades and The Draft:

Throughout the off-season, teams can trade players from their current rosters, while a mid-season trading window will open in 2024.

The exact dates are yet to be announced, but teams and players will have the chance to negotiate trades and contract extensions.

Following LIV Golf Promotions, the first-ever LIV Golf Draft will take place.

It will draft the winner of the International Series and the top three finishers in LIV Golf Promotions onto the remaining teams with open roster spots.

American Andy Ogletree has a considerable lead at the peak of the International Series Rankings.

The 2019 U.S. Amateur champion competed at LIV Golf London in 2022, but he has not made an appearance on the circuit since.