LIV Golf Achievements

Here is the top 10 in the standings for 2026 through 4 events:

1. Jon Rahm – 466.00
2. Bryson DeChambeau – 276.90
3. Elvis Smylie – 238.56
4. Anthony Kim – 230.51
5. Thomas Detry – 166.10
6. Thomas Pieters – 158.26
7. Richard T. Lee – 147.05
8. Peter Uihlein – 140.98
9. Lucas Herbert – 86.91
10. Lee Westwood – 86.76

Barely escaping relegation a season ago, Lee Westwood has made an improbable comeback in the league and is currently in the top 10 despite playing in only 2 of the first 4 events. He has sealed his position for 2027 as well.

For the first time ever, LIV is earning OWGR points. Here is the total cumulative OWGR points for the top 10.

1. Jon Rahm – 54.86
2. Bryson DeChambeau – 29.98
3. Elvis Smylie – 25.63
4. Anthony Kim – 23.13
5. Thomas Pieters – 17.89
6. Thomas Detry – 17.02
7. Peter Uihlein – 15.52
8. Richard T. Lee – 13.45
9. Dean Burmester – 9.94
10. Lucas Herbert – 9.33

Aside from winners, it is tough to really build much OWGR equity only playing LIV events. My guess is that the guys who want to get into the majors will look to supplement their LIV schedules with European Tour events (and the occasional Asian Tour event). Since the OWGR only awards points to the top 10 (and ties), only 30 total guys have earned any OWGR points in LIV over these first four events of 2026.

The points system internal to LIV changed in 2026, so we are now tracking career points in reference to first place that tournament. In other words, for each tournament in LIV, the winner receives 1 point and each subsequent place receives the proportion of actual points in relation to first. Here are the top 10 in terms of total (adjusted) points:

1. Joaquin Niemann – 14.79
2. Jon Rahm – 13.86
3. Bryson DeChambeau – 12.10
4. Talor Gooch – 11.68
5. Cameron Smith – 10.92
6. Dustin Johnson – 10.49
7. Sergio Garcia – 10.12
8. Brooks Koepka – 9.95
9. Patrick Reed – 9.18
10. Carlos Ortiz – 8.32

So far in 30 career LIV events, Jon Rahm’s average point allocation is 0.47, or half-way between 2nd and 3rd place using 2026 point allocation. Rahm’s career is equivalent to a golfer who alternately finishes 2nd and then 3rd for 29 straight events. Rahm’s actual results include an insane 28/30 on Top 10’s (other two were a W/D injury and T11) with 3 wins.

The Team Standings through four events show the following:

1. Ripper GC – 80.75
2. 4Aces GC – 78.00
3. Legion XIII – 39.75
4. Torque GC – 34.75
5. Smash GC – 32.00
6. Southern Guards GC – 25.25
7. Crushers GC – 21.25
8. RangeGoats – 19.25
9. Fireballs GC – 19.25
10. Cleeks Golf Club – 14.00
11. Korean Golf Club – 13.75
12. HyFlyers GC – 12.00
13. Majesticks Golf Club – 10.00

The new relegation system means that the top 34 golfers are in the Lock Zone (Green) and get their spots in LIV 2027. From 35-46 is the Open Zone (Yellow) meaning they are eligible to play in 2027 if signed by a team. Last off-season there was some confusion surrounding Jinichiro Kozuma, who was eligible to return but never signed. Those in the Open Zone can still qualify back into LIV if not picked up. From 47 on down is the Relegation Zone (Red) which means the player has to leave LIV but can still qualify through the other means (win International Series on Asian Tour or through Qualifying series).

With that in mind, here are some notable storylines surrounding the zones through 23% of the season.

Mixed results for the “Young Guns.” There are 11 golfers on LIV who are 27 or younger, and currently 5 are in the Green Zone, 2 in the Yellow, and 4 in the Red. LIV needs to continue to acquire young talent to stay relevant, so it has vested interest in these guys playing well (being good). The hope is they will be able to compete in majors and bring more credibility to LIV.

On the positive side, Elvis Smylie won in his LIV debut, is third in the league standings, and is tied for 7th in LIV total SG. Joaquin Niemann has started playing better again and is in 11th place, followed by 14th place Matt Wolff, 16th place David Puig, and 24th place Josele Ballester.

Caleb Surratt sits in 35th, the best spot in the Yellow Zone. Just behind him is Legion XIII teammate Tom McKibbin. These two are still relatively safe provided they do not collapse during the back-half of the schedule.

On the negative side, HyFlyers signee Michael La Sasso is in 52nd and 7.87 points outside of the Yellow Zone with finishes of T41, T32, T55, and 55. His average SG is -1.70 per round. As someone who turns 22 next month, it isn’t unexpected he would struggle, but it would be awkward to see him relegated after being rushed into a league he didn’t qualify for. Other 20-somethings in danger of relegation are Minkyu Kim (51st), Luis Masaveu (53rd) and reserve Ben Schmidt (57th).

On the other side of things would be the aging captains. Currently Ian Poulter, the Majesticks co-captain who barely qualified for this season, is in the Red Zone at 49th, 2.49 points below the final Yellow spot. Bubba Watson is in 45th place, safe for now but only by 1.96 points. Martin Kaymer, who missed Adelaide, has only earned 10.40 points and sits 14.25 points below the final Yellow Zone spot. Kaymer’s losing 1.53 strokes per round, indicating that his level of play is not sustainable if he wants to avoid relegation for next year. Lastly, Phil Mickelson has missed all 4 events so far due to a personal family matter, so his status is very much TBD.