European veterans Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter are in desperate danger of being demoted from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.
The individual element of the breakaway Tour’s 2025 season culminates on August 24, and this will stand as an imposing deadline for some, with players ranked outside the top 48 losing their 2026 spots.
In recent years, the LIV powers above have shown flexibility to some of the sport’s most popular, struggling names.
Previously, the likes of Major hero Bubba Watson and South African low scorer Branden Grace have been spared the axe despite finishing outside the requirements. But new LIV CEO Scott O’Neil won’t be so lenient; his rule this year – relegation is relegation.
His stern stance means the LIV Tour may say goodbye to some of its most marketable players, but it seems theirs method behind their madness.
While the LIV Golf Tour is thriving, its players’ Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) are not, with leading players plummeting down the order.
LIV has resubmitted its application to OWGR, hoping its competitive structure will be taken more seriously, competition over favouritism. They hope it’ll increase access to Major Championships where they and the PGA Tour collide.
Former world number five and fan favourite Englishman, Poulter, is one of LIV’s most marketable assets, with his appearances in their content and branding invaluable.
But he’s currently sitting 51st in LIV’s ‘Drop Zone’- where anyone finishing 49th or below is relegated from LIV Golf’s league.
To earn points and climb the rankings, golfers must finish in the top 24 of the 54-man field at each event, a feat Poulter has managed just once this season.
A T13 finish in South Korea in May has been the highlight of the 49-year-old’s unusually lacklustre 2025 season.
If the three-time PGA Tour winner can’t find some serious points in the three remaining LIV events in the USA, he will be banished from the circuit.
A major hit to both parties, with Poulter losing big finance, status and his LIV card and the Tour losing a marquee name.
And he’s not alone.
While not in the Drop Zone, Westwood (46th) and Stenson (47th) are ominously close and firmly in the ‘Open Zone’.
While positive results from those below them would automatically relegate the pair if they end up in the Drop Zone, they’re firmly in the Open Zone and at risk.
The Open Zone is positions 25 to 48, with golfers in this zone facing potential trade or release from their respective teams.
And Poulter, Westwood and Stenson are all co-captains for the Majestics GC team, raising the question as to whether their marketability outweighs their collective lacklustre results.
Poulter is a Ryder Cup hero, Westwood a former world number one and Stenson claimed a famous Claret Jug at the 2016 Open at Royal Troon.
However, their hero status may prove irrelevant if they don’t earn points over the next three events to claim LIV safety and keep their eye-watering pay cheques rolling in.
It’s quite the reality check for the trio.
If the worst happens to all or one of the stars, a path back to the DP World Tour could potentially open, albeit a step back competitively and financially.
But all three resigned their memberships in 2022 upon their defection to LIV and will likely have to pay all outstanding fines before rejoining.
Not as attractive an option, especially with no more LIV pay cheques to cash in.
While the DP World Tour would likely welcome their star power with open arms, the trio have a real fight and needs material results if they want to be a part of LIV’s 2026 journey.
