LIV Golf League Signs NCAA Champion La Sasso, Releases Kozuma Amid OWGR Scrutiny

SAN DIEGO (AP) – The LIV Golf League has made headlines by signing NCAA champion Michael La Sasso, further expanding its roster as it prepares for its fifth season. However, the league also made a surprising move by releasing Jinichiro Kozuma, who finished 32nd in the standings last season, boasting three top-10 finishes, including a runner-up placement in Dallas.

The OWGR’s Deliberation on LIV Golf

These roster changes raise important questions for the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), which is evaluating whether LIV should be eligible for ranking points. OWGR chairman Trevor Immelman emphasized that a key challenge in LIV’s application lies in the league’s recruitment process, wherein most players were invited rather than earning their spots through competition—an approach that differs from the traditional meritocracy of other recognized tours.

Immelman commented, “That’s one of the beauties of our sport is earning your way onto a tour, fighting to keep your job on that tour.” As the OWGR board prepares to meet on Wednesday, discussions surrounding the LIV Golf League’s status could be pivotal.

Recent Adjustments to Ranking Criteria

Last month, the OWGR made a notable change, stating that 54- and 36-hole tournaments would receive a deduction in ranking points, whether the reduced number of holes was part of the tournament format or due to interruptions caused by weather. In response, LIV Golf announced an increase to 72-hole tournaments and introduced additional qualifying pathways. However, their turnover rate continues to lag behind other professional tours.

As the new season approaches, the dynamics of player rosters will be a major focus for the OWGR. Players outside the top 48 were relegated, including notable names like Henrik Stenson. Four players, including Kozuma, were also released from the "open" zone, stirring further conversations in the golfing community.

Kozuma disclosed to Sports Illustrated that he discovered his exclusion from the league through social media. He mentioned reaching out to other teams for possible openings, revealing that roster formations are now heavily influenced by team identity and player fit.

New Talent Joining LIV Golf

LIV Golf continues to entice talent, recently adding players such as Thomas Detry, Byeong Hun An, and Victor Perez, all of whom have distinguished themselves on other tours. La Sasso, ranked third in the PGA Tour University rankings, could have earned full Korn Ferry Tour status had he maintained a position in the top 10.

Ryder Cup Captaincy Speculations

In other golfing news, Justin Rose believes that Luke Donald has earned the right to decide whether to continue as the Ryder Cup captain for Europe. If Donald opts out, Rose is a logical candidate, although he expressed interest in taking on the role at a later date.

Reflecting on Donald’s contributions, Rose stated, “Luke has set such a high bar… it’s a big commitment.” At 45 years old and ranked No. 10 globally, Rose remains a formidable presence, having played in seven Ryder Cups.

Justin Thomas’s Recovery Journey

Justin Thomas is making significant progress in his recovery from back surgery, sharing updates on social media showcasing his improvements. He aims to return to competitive golf during the upcoming Florida swing, emphasizing the necessity of overcoming this injury to focus on his season.

New Faces on the Player Advisory Council

Former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover is stepping into tour policy for the first time as a member of the Player Advisory Council (PAC). This group now includes Glover alongside rookies Alex Noren, Hank Lebioda, and Neal Shipley. Glover and Adam Scott are vying for chairmanship of the PAC, which plays a critical role in shaping tour policies, particularly amidst the evolving landscape of LIV Golf.

Women’s Indoor League Grows

The women’s tour is also evolving; Lottie Woad and Rose Zhang have joined the upcoming tech-infused Women’s Team Golf League (WTGL), further enriching the competitive landscape. Both players are previous champions of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

Divots

In other noteworthy updates:

• Scottie Scheffler recently became the third player in PGA Tour history to surpass $100 million in career earnings, joining legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
• The LPGA has appointed Chad Coleman as its new chief marketing officer, following a successful tenure in sports branding.
• Marcus Byrd claimed victory at the APGA Farmers Insurance Invitational, securing a spot in the Farmers Insurance Open this week.
• Stewart Cink started the week by receiving the PGA Tour Champions Player of the Year award and concluded with a victory in Hawaii.

Stat of the Week

Scottie Scheffler has achieved an impressive 14 victories on the PGA Tour since 2024, significantly ahead of Rory McIlroy, who has five wins in the same period.

Final Thoughts

As CBS golf announcer Jim Nantz aptly noted, “This weekend is pure golf… this would be the No. 1 piece of real estate you can have on the west coast for television.” With the PGA Tour poised to start its coverage just before the Super Bowl, golf fans can anticipate an exciting weekend of competition.

Stay tuned for more updates as the professional golf landscape continues to evolve.