LIV Golf’s preparation for 2026 has begun. The contracts are being renewed. Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson have been re-signed; details of these remain unknown at the time. Lefty will return to HyFlyers GC as captain, but his team will not look the same as in 2025, though.  ‘Flushing It’ confirmed the news on X.

“Phil Mickelson had his best season so far on the LIV Golf League this year, finishing in the Lock Zone for the first time with a solo 3rd in Hong Kong and 2 more top 6s. Sources have confirmed that he will be returning as captain of HyFlyers GC in 2026, as he remains under contract,” wrote Tom, highlighting Lefty’s 24th place in LIV standings. All thanks to his solo third-place finish in Hong Kong and two additional top-six results in Miami and Virginia.

“The HyFlyers are looking to bring in a player during the off-season, though, as Andy Ogletree unfortunately finished in the Drop Zone after playing through a wrist injury for most of the year. Expect some news on this in the coming weeks,” Tom wrote on X, hinting at Ogletree’s disappointing season, which led to his T50 rank in the standings.

Despite showing flashes of his strong ball-striking early on, Ogletree struggled to post consistent results and slipped steadily down the individual standings. Finishing 50th overall, Ogletree landed in the Drop Zone, ending his full-time status with LIV. He probably owes his play to the wrist injury he sustained last year in October.

Now, we believe this movement is part of a bigger movement where LIV is attempting to gain relevance in the golfing world. After massive financial failures, LIV Golf is desperate to find its way. That could mean gaining OWGR recognition, for which it has resubmitted the application, and may be increasing the stakes of the events to something more tangible, rather than just monetary incentives.

Scott O’Neil also suggested that the 2026 season will witness incremental structural changes. Phil Mickelson also ‘hypoethetically’ mentioned in July this year, the LIV might consider a complete rebranding: “What if LIV went to a 35-event, full 120-person field, dual shotgun start (morning and afternoon) and the current LIV events were the ‘elevated’ events within the schedule. Where would those additional players come from, and what would happen to the PGA Tour then?” Mickelson posted a hypothetical.

Phil’s words feel more than just hypothetical. That could imply LIV’s attempt at copying the PGA Tour into a full-fledged 35-event, full-field Tour. To do that, the Saudi-backed tour might partner with or absorb smaller tours such as the Asian Tour. However, the road isn’t marked with green lights. The PIF may come across massive financial and logistical roadblocks. That can be risky given the league’s disappointing financial outlook over the years.

However, as it appears, starting right with Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC, LIV is already materializing the changes. Now, let’s take a look at who’s locked in and who might be looking out in the 2026 season.

Breaking Down LIV Golf’s Lock and Drop Zones for 2026

The top 3 in the LIV standings not only stay locked in but also ensure lucrative bonus payouts. For the 2025 season, Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, and Bryson DeChambeau claim those three spots, at 1-2-3 respectively, ensuring full playing rights for the golfers, alongside a winner’s bonus of $18 million, a second-place $8 million, and a third-place $4 million.

Among the top 3, DeChambeau has found himself in the top for the first time in his LIV career. However, his contract ends in 2026. Following DeChambeau’s growing relevance, extending the contract becomes the league’s top priority.

Other golfers in the Lock Zone include RangeGoats GC’s Bubba Watson, who finished 11th in the standings. David Puig finished 10th in the standings, while Thomas Pieters stays locked in at 18th in the Lock Zone.

Several notable names have fallen into LIV Golf’s Drop Zone and will lose their full league status. Former Open Champion Henrik Stenson narrowly missed in 49th place, marking his relegation as a captain.  Mito Pereira (51st) and Yubin Jang (53rd) also face demotion following inconsistent campaigns. Anthony Kim finished tied for 55th, confirming his relegation.

The field is already shifting. But so is the league’s atmosphere. Is LIV close to a comeback after its disappointing run?