13-05-2025
This Wild Stat Proves LIV Golf is Not Prepared for PGA Championship, Majors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Supporters of LIV Golf have been at pains to point out the benefits the league has brought to players and the sport in general. At the very least, it is fair to say that the Saudi-backed circuit has provided plenty to talk about since its inception.
However, it is an undeniable fact that players who have signed with LIV Golf have generally underperformed in major championships after joining the circuit.
Data shared on X by golf statistician Ron Klos shows that only Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton improved their average performance in majors after joining LIV Golf, based on average strokes gained per round (valid for players with at least three majors after joining LIV Golf).
LIV Golf signage is seen on the driving range during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Houston at Golf Club of Houston on June 09, 2024 in Humble, Texas.
LIV Golf signage is seen on the driving range during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Houston at Golf Club of Houston on June 09, 2024 in Humble, case of Joaquin Niemann can also be highlighted, who has maintained a similar performance. However, this is not a performance to boast that much about, as the Chilean is still looking for the first top 15 in his career in major championships.
Going deeper into the analysis, Klos also shared on his X account the breakdown of strokes gained by all the LIV Golf players who will be present at the upcoming PGA Championship. The study includes both league events and the Masters Tournament.
The data shows that only two players, John Rahm and Joaquin Niemann, have positive records in all areas of play in 2025. Even DeChambeau has negative numbers on the approach to the green, but has made up for it tee to green and off the tee, leading to his strong season results.
Strokes Gained data for all 16 LIV golfers in the PGA Championship field.
Data includes LIV and Masters rounds played in 2025. — Ron Klos (@PGASplits101) May 12, 2025
The issue has even found its way to the mouths of the LIV Golf players themselves, as little as they are inclined to point out the negative aspects of the league. Last summer, Jon Rahm asked to consider the possibility of adding links courses to the circuit's schedule:
"There's so much that goes into adjusting to links golf," Rahm said, according to Golf Magic. "Getting used to the greens and the ball reacting on the ground. I didn't think about it until after [Troon], but it's undeniable how much it helps to play a links golf course the week before the Open."
Suffice it to say, the level of consistency those same LIV players has not been there at the majors.
Rahm essentially went from being at the forefront of everyone's minds entering a major, to being an afterthought.
Yet, LIV Golf players have won two of the nine major championships since the league's inception (Brooks Koepka, 2023 PGA Championship and Bryson DeChambeau, 2024 US Open). Jon Rahm won the 2023 Masters, but had not yet signed with the Saudi-backed league.
They add other 12 top-10 finishes in that span, seven in 2023 and five in 2024.
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