LIV Golf: Three Legends on the Brink of Relegation – What’s Next?
Imagine the shot when three of golf’s most celebrated legends find themselves teetering on the edge of relegation. This is exactly the scenario unfolding as the LIV golf season nears its conclusion with Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson, all co- captains of the Mage Sticks GC team, facing the real possibility of being demoted for the upcoming season. The penultimate event of the 2025 LIV golf season saw Dean Burmester clinch the top spot, but the real drama is unfolding in the individual standings. With only one individual event remaining, the league’s relegation rules are about to face a significant test. The stakes are high, especially for Westwood, Palter, and Stenson, who are currently hovering around the dreaded drop zone. Ian Poulter is in the most precarious position, currently sitting at 52nd place. Just a few spots above him are Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson, ranked 47th and 48th, respectively. These positions are just outside the drop zone, but they are perilously close with only a slim margin separating them from the relegation candidates. If the season ends as it stands, players ranked 49th and below will be relegated from LIIV Golf. For Westwood and Stenson, the upcoming event in Indianapolis is a critical opportunity to secure or improve their standings. However, for Poulter, the situation looks dire and his fate seems almost sealed based on his performance this season. But here’s where it gets controversial. How will the league handle the potential loss of such prominent figures? In the past, relegation hasn’t been strictly enforced, especially when it comes to captains. In 2023, Martin Kir managed to avoid relegation despite finishing in the relegation zone because he was a captain. The following year, the rule that exempted captains from relegation was abolished, but it didn’t have a significant impact. Baba Watson, who was relegated, simply resigned himself due to his captaincy of the Range Goats GC team. Brendan Grace faced a similar fate, being relegated and then promptly resigned by his team, Stinger GC. Given this history, it’s unclear whether the league will stick to its rules or find a way to Kate Westwood, Poulter, and Stenson in the game. These three players were among the first to join LIIV Golf in 2022, bringing with them a combined total of 83 professional wins, including a major championship. They have been instrumental in shaping the European Rider Cup team over the past two decades, during which Europe won the event seven times in nine editions. And this is the part most people miss. The impact of their potential relegation extends beyond just their personal careers. It could signal a shift in the league’s approach to player retention and the enforcement of its rules. Will the league prioritize the integrity of its system or will it ban the rules to retain star power? What do you think? Should the league enforce the relegation rules strictly, even if it means losing some of its biggest names, or should it find a way to keep these legends in the game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
In the latest LIV Golf news, three iconic players, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, and Henrik Stenson, are facing the possibility of relegation. With just one event left, the tension is high as these co-captains of Majesticks GC find themselves in a difficult situation. Poulter, ranked 52nd, seems to be the most vulnerable, while Westwood and Stenson, ranked 47th and 48th, respectively, are on the edge of the Drop Zone. Find out how the league might react to the potential loss of these prominent names and whether the relegation rules will be strictly enforced this time. Join us as we analyze the impact of past re-signings and the legacy of these legendary players in the European Ryder Cup team. Will they be able to avoid relegation, or is their fate already sealed? Stay tuned to find out!
