LIV Golf confirmed Thursday that its offseason window is now open for player signings, trades and other transactions.
The players who finished the 2025 season in the top 24 of the points standings, the “Lock Zone,” are assured of spots in the league for next season and anyone on an expiring contract is automatically granted a one-year extension from their current team. However, those players can choose to decline the extension and enter free agency.
Players who finished in spots 25-48, the “Open Zone,” become free agents if they were on an expiring deal.
If no team offers an Open Zone free agent a contract — which happened last year to Pat Perez, John Catlin and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra — they will lose their spots in the league. Perez transitioned from a player to a broadcasting role with LIV in 2025.
Then there are the players who finish outside the top 48 — the “Drop Zone.” The players who finished in the Drop Zone are officially relegated and cannot play in 2026 unless they qualify via the LIV Golf Promotions event or International Series standings.
That spells trouble for Majesticks GC co-captain Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who placed 49th this season. Also out are Andy Ogletree (HyFlyers), Mito Pereira of Chile (Torque), South Korea’s Yubin Jang (Iron Heads), wild card Anthony Kim and Denmark’s Frederik Kjettrup (Cleeks).
Teams that have a roster opening can sign a Lock Zone or Open Zone player who became a free agent, work out a trade, sign a player from the LIV Golf Promotions or International Series pathways or recruit another player from outside the league.
“Every team has the chance to re-evaluate and build something special in the offseason, just like in other major sports. It also keeps fans invested and engaged in what we are doing and there’s terrific excitement heading into next year,” HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson said in a LIV Golf news release.
“Losing a player on HyFlyers GC this season (Ogletree) opens the door to bring someone in who further elevates our team and makes us more competitive.”
–Field Level Media
