Scott O’Neil announces promotions event for new players to join LIV Golf in 2026

As per reports, LIV Golf is working on creating new pathways for players to join the breakaway tour next season. If speculations are true, the Saudi PIF-backed golf circuit is trying to appease the OWGR for its inclusion in world rankings.

Amidst those reports, Scott O'Neil, the Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi golf league, recently announced the 2026 Promotions Event. For those unaware, the aforementioned event provides a direct pathway for non-contracted golfers to join the Saudi PIF-backed golf league. This year, LIV Golf is reportedly planning to give two top-ranked golfers a one-year contract to join the tour.

O'Neil talked about the upcoming Promotions Event that will commence from January 8 to 11 at Black Diamond Ranch in Lecanto, Florida. He expressed how the league has been trying to expand its inclusion, emphasizing on the aim to become a "truly global golf league". Scott O'Neil further revealed how LIV is broadening their platform for talents all over the world.

"LIV Golf continues to expand pathways for players around the world to qualify for the first truly global golf league. As fan interest in LIV Golf continues to increase and the opportunity to compete across the U.S., Asia Pacific, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East against some of the biggest names in golf grows, it’s only natural that we broaden access for talented, ambitious players to earn their way into the league."

Take a look at the post on X (previously Twitter) by Flushing It Golf:

The 2026 LIV Golf Promotions Event will have four rounds where golfers will compete over 18 holes of stroke-play in each of them. After round 1 ends, scores will be reset, and the top 20 players in the leaderboard, including ties, will proceed to the second round. Following Friday's (January 9) round, the top 20 golfers (including ties) will advance for the weekend.

For the remaining 36 holes, competitors of the 2026 Promotions Event will fight for the top two spots on the leaderboard. Apart from receiving a one-year contract for LIV Golf, the top spot holders will receive $200,000 and $150,000, respectively. The top 10 finishers in the leaderboard will be exempt from the 2026 International Series on the Asian Tour.

---

Who won the last LIV Golf Promotions Event?

The last Promotions Event was held in Riyadh Golf Club from December 12 to 14. With a mixed field of 92 golfers at play and scores being reset at the beginning of every round, the event got intense over the final 36 holes.

Ultimately, Chieh-po Lee ended up clutching the $150,000 on Saturday. The professional golfer from Chinese Taipei became the first one to secure a full-time LIV Golf contract. On Saturday morning, Lee started with nine birdies and carded a 7-under-par 64 total, letting him take a two-stroke lead over Ollie Schniederjans.

In the afternoon, although Lee had a three-stroke lead, it got reduced to a one-shot margin after his bogey on hole 16. However, the golfer secured a birdie on hole 17 and a par on hole 18 to score a 36-hole total score of 10 under par.

Edited by Pravashis Biswas