Will Anyone Make The Move to the LIV Tour this Offseason?

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Over the last few years we have become accustomed to seeing some of the biggest names in golf make the lucrative switch from the PGA Tour to LIV. 

In recent season’s Jon Rahm, Cam Smith, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have all made the headlines but with fans of the PGA Tour wondering who might be next, so far through the offseason the rumour mill has yet to spring into action. Let’s recap some of the names who could yet be tempted to make the move to the Saudi breakaway tour.

Tony Finau

It makes complete sense to start this review by looking at the man who has been able to generate the bulk of the headlines, Tony Finau.

The popular American has long been a reported target for LIV and their officials and the rumour mill went into overdrive when Finau withdrew from the Hero World Challenge and the Sentry Tournament of Champions that is set to take place next month. 

With many assuming that Finau had taken the decision to remove himself from the two tournaments due to his imminent defection to the LIV ranks, it was instead confirmed that the real reason why Finau had withdrawn from those tournaments was due to him needing to recover from a nagging knee injury. He even went on to confirm that his goal is to return for the season opener in Hawaii, but whether that is realistic remains to be seen. 

Having all but pledged his allegiance to the PGA Tour for the foreseeable future, it looks like any move to LIV will have to be put on hold for now, however as Jon Rahm has proved, every man has a price and if LIV come back with a lucrative offer, they may end up landing their man. 

Tony Finau


Viktor Hovland 

After winning the 2023 FedEx Playoffs and playing a starring role in Team Europe’s memorable Ryder Cup win, it seemed that Viktor Hovland was ready to take the golfing world by storm, but after making the surprising move to change his swing coach, 2024 has been a year of disappointment for the Norwegian.

Still ranked eighth in the world largely to his great form in 2023, Hovland was able to save his season with a second place finish at the St Jude Championship and an eight place finish at the season ending Tour Championship. 

Despite finishing in the final 30 at the end of the season, Hovland wasn’t able to get his hands on a title and just recorded three top ten finishes. 

Having dropped off the radar, Hovland hasn’t teed it up since the season ending Tour Championship and surprisingly didn’t make an appearance in any of the European Tour’s showpiece events over the winter. 

There have been rumours in the past that Hovland has been close to joining the LIV ranks and conversations have been advanced. Hovland is no stranger to criticising the PGA Tour and how they have handled the split that has divided men’s professional golf. With Hovland in a tricky place with the state of his game, now more than ever could be the time when Hovland finally joins those in the LIV ranks. 

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 coveted. 

Hideki Matsuyama


Xander Schauffele

Of all the names on this list, the most unlikely to make their way over to the LIV tour is Xander Schauffele, riding high following a year where he bagged two of the year’s four majors, Schauffele has now positioned himself as one of the game’s major players and could well command a handsome fee for his services. 

Reportedly a previous target for those around the table of the LIV boardroom, LIV needs players who can move the needle and although Schauffele may not be one of the game’s loudest characters, the quality of his game would certainly attract plenty of eyeballs. 

For Schauffele although he looks to be content with life on the PGA Tour, a move this offseason would certainly make plenty of appeal. 

With his place in the majors secure for the next few years, a lack of ranking points wouldn’t harm him position in all of the games biggest tournaments and with his stock at an all time high, this could be the perfect time for him to strike a deal that would secure the futures for both him and future generations of his family. 

Whilst it would take hundreds of millions to prize one of the PGA Tour’s best players away, if LIV did come with an offer it might be hard for the Californian to turn it down.