By Rahul Banerji
With its 2024 season halfway done, the LIV Golf roster is entering its shakeout phase ahead of the decisive second half with the launch of its first mid-season trading window.
In a statement, the league said the move was to create opportunities for teams to improve their rosters during the season.
Till Sunday, June 9, teams will be able to negotiate trades in which a straight swap of players takes place. Both teams must agree to the trade but without modifications to players’ contracts.
In addition, players in the final year of their contract will be free to negotiate an extension with their current team during this window, the statement said.
“As LIV Golf grows, the League will continue to establish opportunities to strengthen the competition,” LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman said.
Fine tuning
“By opening a trade window midway through the season, all 13 teams have an opportunity to fine-tune their rosters and assess their team’s composition and performance,
“LIV Golf is delivering another exciting opportunity for professional golf that aligns with the traditions of many team sports around the globe, promoting strategic player moves and enriched team storylines.”
Last year, a series of player movements among teams introduced the first-ever trades in professional golf. For one, Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC acquired Harold Varner III in a trade with RangeGoats GC for Peter Uihlein.
The RangeGoats, captained by Bubba Watson, also acquired Matthew Wolff from Smash GC, with Brooks Koepka’s team receiving Talor Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf League Individual Champion, in return.
In addition, Carlos Ortiz, previously of Fireballs GC, earned a top 24 position in last year’s standings and opted for free agency to sign with Torque GC.
That opened up a spot on the Fireballs roster, with captain Sergio Garcia signing Open Zone free agent David Puig.
Close race
As things stand, 2023 champions Crushers GC led by Bryson DeChambeau top the team table on 105.50 points and have seen a substantial edge erode away after two sub-optimal performances recently.
Jon Rahm;s new Legion XII are second with 94 points and the all-Australian Ripper GC led by Cameron Smith are now third on 90 points with back to back team victories at Adelaide and Singapore.
On the individual side, Joaquin Neimann of Chile and Torque GC leads with 134.40 points thanls to his two early season titles at Mayakoba and Jeddah. Rahm is second on 98.17 points and while he does not have any wins, the Spaniard has finished in the top 10 at the seven events played so fay.
PGA Championship special invitee Dean Burmester of South Africa and Stinger GC is third on 92.24 points ahead of his team captain, the rejuvenated Louis Oosthuizen.
India star Anirban Lahiri, retained by Crushers after a strong 2023 season, is mid-pack in 29th place on 15.33 points and will want to kick on upwards over the remaining six individual tournaments
Players finishing in the top 24 Lock Zone at the end of the 13th event secure their 2025 spot in the League. Players finishing between 25th and 48th fall in the Open Zone who will be out of contract and need to be re-signed by their team or picked up by another squad.
Players finishing 49 and below in the Drop Zone are relegated and go into the 2024 LIV Golf Promotions tournament, the statement added.
Also read: Koepka wins it at Singapore as Aussies rule the LIV podium again
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