LIV Golf issue alarming update on qualifying school place in latest Saudi shake-up

LIV Golf have caused a stir after it was reported that their Promotions event will offer qualifiers just one spot on their 2025 roster. Last year's event promised the top three finishers a place to compete, but golfers have been told only the winner will be rewarded.

According to Bunkered, the Saudi-backed league are poised to confirm more details about the Q-School event, which will be hosted in Riyadh in December.

In 2023, Kalle Samooja, Jinichiro Kozuma and Kieran Vincent were all handed golden tickets after qualifying. This time around though, hopefuls have seen their chances limited by LIV organisers.

Two of those players - Samooja and Vincent - were eventually relegated and now must find somewhere else to play.

Vincent finished above only Hudson Swafford, Anthony Kim and Ben Campbell in the standings, while Swafford - who has since been axed - is unable to return to the PGA Tour. Samooja finished 49th overall and was one of six players to finish in the relegation zone.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson was one of those to finish in the bottom six, but the American is exempt from relegation as he is a team captain.

LIV are also exploring the idea of adding a 14th team to the event, after Jon Rahm was allowed to create his own team, Legion XIII, when he signed his big-money deal with LIV in 2023.

LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman said: "Those who have competed in the LIV Golf League consistently share similar feedback: the energy, camaraderie, and global competition have created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for players to pursue their dreams at the highest level.

"LIV Golf Promotions delivers another pathway for up-and-coming players and top competitors across the globe to experience a life-changing season with LIV, and we're eager to see who steps up this year in Riyadh."

Another change sees the Promotions event played at a different venue, with the breakaway league hosting at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia. Previously, it was based at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates.

The format however will remain the same, with the qualifying tournament hosted across 72 holes in three days of golf action starting on December 12. The final two rounds take place on the Sunday, December 14.

Category A, which focuses heavily on the top amateurs in the world will come into the event at the first round stage, with eligibility including members of the 2023 Walker Cup and 2024 Palmer Cup Teams, as well as winners and the runner-ups of the biggest amateur events in the world.

The top five players from the Japan Golf Tour, KPGA Korean Tour, Sunshine Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia will also be present, with the top three exempt until round two. Category B sees players come in a round later on the second day.