With the 2024 season ending and the rumours regarding a merger between the PGA and LIV Tours deemed to be unfounded, it looks like the fracture that has divided the top end of the men’s game looks set to continue for yet another year.
Although LIV has yet to complete the crossover to the sporting mainstream, not even the most ardent PGA Tour supporter would deny that the breakaway tour is gaining in both traction and popularity.
The acquisition of Jon Rahm last year showed that any player that LIV want to acquire can be bought and as it looks to strengthen its hand even further, you can be guaranteed that before the new LIV season starts in February, the rumour mill of those close to joining is bound to go into overdrive.
Here are just some of the names to keep an eye on.
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland has long been a target for Greg Norman and the other members of the LIV board. There were rumours last year that Hovland came close to joining the LIV ranks, but after a poor season, his defection to the Saudi funded tour could be a real reality this time around.
What will drive those rumours even further is that after his elimination from the FedEx Playoffs, the popular Norwegian was absent from all DP World Tour events and hasn’t been seen on the course for months.
With Hovland needing to rebuild his game and swing after a poor twelve months, Hovland’s fall from the very top of the game has been swift and alarming and he may be considering a move to LIV before his stock falls any further.
Hovland is in a rare position that due to the fact he hasn’t won a major, his place in the major championships is entirely dependent on his world ranking.
Currently ranked 8 in the world, his place at all four majors next season is virtually assured but if he were to struggle and his ranking were to plummet, his place at golf’s top table may be in some jeopardy.
Hovland could have a real battle on his hands to decide whether he takes the money or ensures that he will be able to compete in the majors for years to come. It’s a decision he will have to take incredibly seriously.
Adam Scott
Reaching the twilight of his career, Adam Scott has been one of the finest imports that the PGA Tour has ever seen. A former winner of the Masters as well as numerous PGA titles, the Australian was at his best this season as he qualified for the season ending Tour Championship.
With a swing that has stood the test of time, Scott is still in impeccable shape and looks to still have plenty to offer.
However, with Scott knowing that his days at the top of the game are nearing an end, he may decide to join the likes of Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter in seeing out the final chapters of their careers on the LIV circuit.
Australians have already made an impact on the LIV Tour with Cam Smith, Marc Leisham and Lucas Herbert all making their marks but the acquisition of Scott would be significant.
LIV is the strongest in Australia with its Adelaide event easily being one of the highlights of the year.
With tickets selling out in minutes, the clamour for tickets would be at an all time high if Scott were to join the LIV ranks.
Scott is still very much seen as one of the country's leading players. A sponsor's dream and a man that you can easily build a tour around, the promise of one huge payday may be too tough for the Scott to resist despite all he has achieved with the PGA Tour.
Justin Rose
Like Scott, Justin Rose is nearing the end of his playing days at the very highest level. A former winner of the U.S. Open he came close to adding a second major when narrowly falling short at the 2024 Open.
Although the Englishman has been a recent winner on the PGA Tour, he is slowly but surely being overtaken by a whole host of younger players who can hit the ball a mile.
Rose with his amenable nature and dedication to growing the women’s game would be seen as a real coup for LIV, and Rose would certainly be welcomed by European stalwarts Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson.
With the promise of a huge payday to top up his pension, the only thing standing in his way from joining the LIV ranks would be that if he were to join his chances of ever captaining the European Ryder Cup team would be dealt a serious blow.
Rose has shown in the past how much playing in the Ryder Cup means to him and it’s almost a guarantee that he will one day captain the side that he has represented so well in the past. How high Rose values that potential opportunity could be seriously put to the test.
Hideki Matsuyama
One man who has been high on the LIV radar is Hideki Matsuyama. Whereas some on the PGA Tour have been accused of taking too narrow a view of the game, those at LIV are trying to grow the game internationally and one of the jewels in the crown in achieving that aim would be Matsuyama.
The first Japanese major winner when Matsuyama was crowned the Masters Champion, Matsuyama is a hero in Japan and across Asia and his inclusion in the LIV lineup could have the potential to move the needle significantly.
Knowing how important a role he could play in bringing new eyes to the Tour, Matsuyama could command a handsome price, but as we have seen before, price is no object for LIV.
Matsuyama would be a huge loss to the PGA Tour and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to be the man on this list who is the most highly coverted.
Jack Hartman
A keen golfer and huge fan of the game, Jack has been covering golf for the last five years. Bringing you all the latest coverage and news from the PGA, LIV, LPGA and DP World Tours, never before has golf been so popular and Jack can’t wait to bring all the excitement to his readers.
