Major champion named in LIV Golf Promotions field

LIV Golf has confirmed the field for its first ever qualifying school.

In LIV’s first move towards becoming a merit-based circuit, the Saudi-backed league is offering up three places in its 2024 roster, courtesy of a Promotions Event in Abu Dhabi Golf Club from December 8-10.

Amongst over 70 players set to enter the 72-hole stroke play tournament, there is a major champion, two former Ryder Cup players and several DP World Tour winners.

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The 2013 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner will tee it up, alongside Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, who played in the winning European Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2014.

Jeff Overton, who competed in the losing US team at Celtic Manor in 2010, is also included in the field.

Spanish duo Gonzalo Fernadez-Castano and Alvaro Quiroz, both multiple DP World Tour winners, will attempt to secure a LIV contract for next season.

Laurie Canter, who was a reserve on the Majesticks GC team co-captained by Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, will also aim to secure his full status as a LIV player.

Meanwhile, the first four players ever relegated from LIV at the end of the 2023 season – Sihwan Kim, Chase Koepka, Jed Morgan, and James Piot – will all bid to reclaim their spot on the circuit.

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“LIV Golf Promotions creates an open pathway for players to compete in the LIV Golf League, and the interest shown in the event’s inaugural year reinforces the significance of these new opportunities for the sport,” said CEO Greg Norman.

“There is exceptional talent from all corners of the globe and LIV Golf is establishing a platform for these current and rising stars of the game to build their careers in new, exciting ways. LIV Golf’s future is bright, and our anticipation grows to see which competitors will be part of this game-changing league in 2024.”

The likes of Dufner and Canter will be exempt from “Round One” on December 8, where the top 20 and ties from nearly 60 players advance into Saturday’s second round.

That is when those with exemptions will enter the tournament, with the top 20 again then progressing through to a 36-hole weekend shootout, with the top three players earning LIV spots for 2024.

There is a $1.5million prize fund, with $300,000 going to the winner of the tournament.