The silly season in the PGA Tour might have been over, but not for LIV Golf. The PIF-funded circuit is still in flux with new announcements coming up. Recently, Smash GC captain, Brooks Koepka, declared that he would retain two of his four-member squad. Graeme McDowell and Jason Kokrak. That comes on the heels of Stinger GC providing a lifeline to relegated star, Branden Grace. They will join a handful of fresh faces in the LIV Golf’s fourth season starting next month. Here are all the names who have either been re-signed or have joined the breakaway league for the first time. 

Brendan Grace

Apparently, Grace’s place at the Stingers GC was never in doubt. Louis Oosthuizen said he always had Grace in mind despite him finishing the drop zone. The South African International managed only two top-20 finishes last season finishing at 51st place in the season-long leaderboard. 

Grace notably teed off at the Promotions event as well. However, now it turns out, regardless of his finish Stingers would’ve signed him anyway. Perhaps, that was part of the plan; as Oosthuizen revealed he wanted to wait before making the announcement even though it was already decided long back. Grace’s poor form is attributed to an injury-laden episode. He was 9th in 2023 and 2nd in 2022.

Jason Kokrak

Another team that retained all four players is Smash GC. Captain Brooks Koepka wanted Kokrak back in the squad. The 39-year-old finished in the Lock Zone (22nd). He had the option to sign with any other team. But Koepka, in a bid to retain the team dynamics roped in the veteran again. Koepka’s team won twice last season in addition to the captain’s two individual titles. But Smash GC finished dead last in the season-ending Team Championship. 

Graeme McDowell

You will see G-Mac another year at the Smash GC. The Northern Irishman finished 29th in the season-long leaderboard, with three top-tens last season. “Brooks has been very supportive of me. And he trusts me,” McDowell said. “I go into this season feeling more confident about my position as a Smash player.” He joined the five-time major winner’s team only last year, having previously played for Cleeks GC in 2022 & 23. Notably, the veteran golfer got embroiled in a doping controversy last year. 

Bubba Watson

The former Masters champion was the only captain to finish in the drop zone. LIV Golf announced that captains won’t have the immunity that they enjoyed previously. Bubba Watson was relegated. But he was brought back as well. The two-time Masters champion will helm the squad once again with one new addition. With Watson back in the league, LIV Golf has retained two of its four relegated players, putting a huge question mark on the necessity of having a relegation. 

New faces joining LIV Golf:

It’s not just the old guys who will be back, LIV Golf is adding a few new names too. Most notably, Ben Campbell. The Kiwi International played three tournaments last year as a reserve player. He was also in the field in last year’s LIV Golf Promotions event but missed out on a playoff. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old impressed at the International Series and earned his spot after RangeGoats captain invited the youngster to join his squad. Campbell will replace Thomas Pieters on Watson’s team. 

He is one of the four new faces in the Saudi-backed league. Frederik Kjettrup also signed for Cleeks GC. The Danish star was plying his trade on the other side of the Atlantic at PGA Tour Americas and Korn Ferry Tour. Now he will rub shoulders with Martin Kaymer, Richard Bland, and Adrian Meronk. Next in line is Yubin Jang, an emerging Korean star, carefully tracked by IronHeads captain, Kevin Na. The 22-year-old will join forces with Jinichiro Kozuma who joined IronHeads last year. 

Lastly, Max Lee, of Chinese Taipei earned the medalist honor at the LIV Golf Promotions event. Only one spot was up for grabs in Riyadh and Lee took his shot. Interestingly, there is one more name that’s floating in the air. 

Apparently, Jon Rahm has convinced Tom McKibbin of Northern Ireland to join his Legion XIII, giving up on his PGA Tour card. The 22-year-old Ulsterman, a protege of Rory McIlroy, earned his PGA Tour card last November after a nail-biting finish at the DP World Tour Championship. He is currently playing in the Team Cup, a pre-test for the Ryder Cup. Asked on the matter, McKibbin told Golf Digest Middle East he would speak on it when the event is over.