Many big names of the PGA Tour have moved to LIV Golf. Some for more money, some for better work-life balance. With the merger between these two leagues still pending, poaching continues.  NUCLR Golf dropped a bombshell, citing Golf Digest sources claiming representatives of “two recent tour winners” are in active discussions to join LIV Golf. But there’s the kicker.

These aren’t marquee names like Jon Rahm’s blockbuster $500 million deal. Instead, they’re “recognizable enough to trigger another cycle of ‘What is the state of the game?’ handwringing.” The vague nature of the report immediately sent fans into detective mode. The timing couldn’t be more interesting, if you ask us.

LIV Golf continues to battle for legitimacy on multiple fronts. The league submitted a new application for OWGR points on June 30, 2025, marking its second attempt after being rejected in October 2023. Meanwhile, no LIV player currently occupies a spot in the top 20 of the world rankings for the first time since the league’s inception. Bryson DeChambeau, the highest-ranked LIV player, has slipped to 21st place. Former world No. 2 Jon Rahm now sits at a stunning 73rd. Performance data revealed that this competitive gap continues to widen, making major championship qualification increasingly difficult for LIV players.

Additionally, the league faces mounting transparency issues.

Former LIV player Hudson Swafford didn’t mince words about his experience: “Things I didn’t like, you know, the lack of transparency, the rule changing… You never knew where we stood week to week.” These organizational challenges may affect future recruitment efforts, and one of the recent announcements may further affect things.

LIV announced it will stop paying DP World Tour fines after 2025, putting players like Richard Bland in jeopardy. This move is significant considering they’ve already shelled out approximately $20 million in fines, with another $10 million outstanding. The financial pressure adds another layer to LIV’s recruitment strategy as they seek to fill roster spots following the relegation of six players, including former Open Champion Henrik Stenson.

The post racked up over 120,000 views in hours, and sent the golf community into speculation overdrive.

LIV Golf fans are divided on potential recruits

One fan immediately threw out high-profile names: “I would guess either Fleetwood or Rose (or both), maybe Rory? Wouldn’t put it past him after the Ryder Cup fiasco.”

Tommy Fleetwood won the 2025 FedExCup Championship, making him an unlikely candidate given his recent success. Justin Rose captured the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship at 44 years old. Both seem settled on the PGA Tour. Rory McIlroy has recently softened his stance against LIV, urging both sides to “get over it” in February 2025. Still, his three wins this season suggest he’s not going anywhere. The Ryder Cup reference likely refers to ongoing tensions within European golf, although McIlroy remains firmly committed to the PGA Tour.

Other fans pointed to less obvious targets. One speculated about recent lower-profile winners: “Aldrich Potgieter (2025 Rocket Classic Winner)” and “Garrick Higgo (2025 Corales Puntacana Championship).”

Aldrich Potgieter, a 20-year-old South African, won the 2025 Rocket Classic in a breakthrough performance. Garrick Higgo claimed the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship after losing his PGA Tour card. Both fit the “recent winner” profile without being household names, making them logical targets for LIV’s recruitment strategy.

Another fan raised an interesting angle: “Wonder if Wesley Bryan is one after his PGA suspension for doing a YouTube game that LIV backed.”

Wesley Bryan, the 2017 RBC Heritage champion, received an indefinite suspension for appearing in “The Duels: Miami,” a LIV-affiliated YouTube event. That demonstrates the Tour’s continued hardline stance against any LIV involvement. Bryan’s suspension makes him a realistic candidate, as he has already crossed the line in the eyes of the PGA Tour.

However, skepticism ran equally strong. One fan demanded accountability: “‘Sources’ Really? Like who exactly. Or, if they insist on anonymity, what distinguishes them and their reports from those of any other LIV supporter who wants to trash the PGA Tour?”

The lack of concrete names has fueled doubts about the report’s credibility. Without named sources or specific players confirmed, many fans remain unconvinced this represents genuine news rather than speculation. Anonymous sourcing in LIV recruitment stories has become a pattern, leading to increased skepticism.

Another fan took a broader view: “No one of significance went last year, and no one of significance is going this year. The brutal international travel schedule is a major factor, no OWGR points, and a one sided lack of transparency contracts by LIV Golf aka @PIF_en are awful. In addition, this year players like Bryson, Brooks and others are leaving LIV Golf.”

This fan accurately identifies LIV’s structural challenges. The league faces brutal international travel, with events spread across multiple continents. The absence of OWGR points remains unresolved, despite their application in June 2025. Contract transparency issues are real, as Swafford’s comments confirmed. However, the claim about Bryson and Brooks leaving is premature. DeChambeau confirmed that his contract expires at the end of 2026, with negotiations planned, while Koepka’s situation remains unclear, despite rumors.

One fan expressed doom-and-gloom sentiments: “Golf is going to implode soon, tiger retirement is eminent… liv BS… Saudi money…. Ball roll back ….Whole sport is about to be a shit show.”

These concerns reflect broader anxiety about the state of professional golf heading into 2026. Tiger Woods has reduced his competitive schedule significantly, though “eminent retirement” remains speculation. The golf ball rollback is a real phenomenon, with implementation scheduled for 2028 among professional golfers. Saudi money continues fueling LIV despite reported financial losses. The sentiment captures legitimate frustration about the sport’s uncertain direction.

The truth? We won’t know until the names are actually announced. Meanwhile, talks on PGA Tour-LIV reunification remain completely stalled. For now, golf fans are left playing the speculation game, with everyone asking the same question: who’s actually jumping ship?