LIV Golf gained three more players for its 2024 season on Sunday.
LIV made headlines earlier this week when they acquired Jon Rahm. He will continue to make headlines in the coming days and weeks as he adds more free agents to Rahm’s LIV squad. But on Sunday, he added three lesser-known names to his first promotional event.
The event, which is LIV’s answer to the PGA Tour Q-School, brought 73 players from various tours to Abu Dhabi for a three-day shootout to fill three spots for the 2024 LIV season. The field has been whittled down to 42 players for Friday’s opening round. The scores for Saturday’s 18-hole event were reset and the field was reduced to 20 players. On Sunday, the scores were reset and the remaining competitors played 36 holes to determine the top three positions.
Finn Kalle Samudja won the runner-up title and clinched that spot, posting 8-under par (65-71) over the final two holes, his lowest score of 36 holes. “My only mission is to get there on Sunday and give it everything I’ve got and then we’ll be here,” Samudja said.
Three players finished at 7 under par and advanced to a playoff for the final two spots. And this is where it gets interesting. On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th hole, England’s Rory Canter hit the green in two and Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma dropped his tee shot into the water. But three goals from Kanter combined with an up-and-down challenge from Kozuma and another goal from Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent to send them into the second play-off spot. On the second court of the playoff, Kanter attempted a bold second shot from the lie, but dropped it into the water and nearly fouled it. Vincent and Kozuma continued to occupy the top two spots. “Thanks to him and thanks to Lori.” Vincent said. “Obviously it’s a tough game and we’re lucky to be in this side, but it’s definitely heartbreaking for Rory.”
Samuja is 35 years old and has spent most of his career on the DP World Tour. In the LIV promotion, he won the first prize of $200,000. Kieran Vincent, 26, joins his brother Scott at LIV. And Kozma, 29, is slated to play a full LIV season in 2022 after making three starts in the starting lineup.
“I don’t think tears can do justice,” Vincent said. “Obviously it’s just one of those experiences. I watch my brother all year and see how he changes their lives. Hopefully this will take my career to a new level.”
Kanter led the next four and 10th to earn the exemption from the LIV-sponsored 2024 International Series on the Asian Tour schedule. He received $75,000 for fourth place and $25,000 for 10th place. Places 11-20 received $17,500.
LIV’s promotional event began as the league entered its third season in search of legitimacy. Critics cited the league’s closed system (most of the 48 players were hand-picked but were not eligible for LIV) as a sign of a lack of competitive integrity. However, in the qualifying round we will try to address this criticism by opening up three positions where three players can be replaced from the 2023 season. The event also took place in the context of the ongoing negotiations between the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and the PGA Tour. Negotiations have become more complex in recent weeks. Although PGA Tour players can participate in promotional events by applying for a media release, most PGA Tour players who entered the field did not submit timely media releases. As a result, the players involved could face suspensions, including Kevin Chappell, Martin Trainer (top 10) and Jason Dufner.
LIV CEO Greg Norman won in his post-tournament comments. “My phone has been blowing up since I got here.” Norman spoke with characteristic confidence. “People around the world are watching because the implications for the road to the 2024 LIV Games are so powerful. “This is a testament to the thought and process we put into creating this opportunity for the three people who are here today.”
The 2024 LIV season begins in February in Mayakoba, Mexico. Below you can see the top 10 winners of the promotional event.
1. Kalle Samooja
2. Kieran Vincent
3. Jinichiro Kozuma
4. Laurie Canter, England
5. Jaco Ahlers, South Africa
6. Zach Bauchou, USA
7. Poom Saksansin, Thailand
8. Kevin Chappell, USA
9. Martin Trainer, France
10. Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Thailand
