Robert TheodorsonA great deal occurred in the world of golf this weekend and if you blinked, you may have missed it.
Riyadh Golf Club was the site of The International Series’ finale where a champion was crowned, careers were revived, and two huge decisions greatly altered how the league would look in 2026.
Josele Ballester Wins First Professional Tournament in Convincing Style
There were a few favourites to win the PIF Saudi International last weekend – Reigning champion Joaquin Niemann, Australia’s Cam Smith, and even youngster Caleb Surratt who stayed atop the leaderboard for most of the weekend. Josele Ballester was not one of them.
The 2024 U.S. Amateur Champion, at only twenty-two years old, outdueled the majority of his LIV Golf League colleagues and captured his first professional trophy at The International Series’ penultimate competition.
Ballester, who was brought aboard Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs midway through last season, broke through former tournament leaders Caleb Surratt and Dean Burmester to win the tournament with a total score of 21-under par with incredibly consistent rounds of 66, 65, 66, and 65.
With the win, Ballester will assuredly go into the LIV 2026 Season Opener (at the same Riyadh Golf Club) as one of the favourites. LIV Riyadh, which will kick off the 2026 season, will occur February 4 – 7 and will be LIV’s first-ever four-day tournament!
Laurie Canter Makes Triumphant Return to LIV
Canter, the former Majesticks member who was relegated out of the league a few seasons ago is headed back to LIV after a short, but successful hiatus.
Canter used his time on the DP World Tour to his full advantage, finishing 7th in the Race to Dubai standings, facing off against R2D mainstays Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, and eventual winner Rory McIlroy.
For his efforts, Canter was awarded his PGA Tour card back by virtue of finishing in the Top 10, but instead chose to take a second offer from LIV to rejoin.
It is currently unknown where Canter will fit back into the league, but with the relegation of Majesticks co-captain Henrik Stenson, there is a roster spot available on Canter’s old team. With co-captains Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter likely to re-up their contracts after finishing in The Open Zone, the leaders will likely opt to keep their all-European team a now all-English team with Canter’s return.
Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji Will See League Action in 2026
Scott Vincent, the former Iron Heads player who was relegated out of the league two seasons ago is headed back to his former home.
Vincent, who didn’t show much in his years with LIV outside of a gutsy performance to avoid relegation the first time in 2023, earned his way back into the league by finishing in first place on The International Series.
Japan’s Yosuke Asaji, a relative unknown, is a journeyman golfer who has two twice on The Asian Tour, including the Moutai Singapore Open, the International Series event that helped propel him to second place on the end-of-season standings.
Both players team membership statuses are unknown as LIV may opt to have the duo play as singles much like Max Lee who won the LIV Promotions event in 2025.
Vincent and Asaji will eventually be joined by another two golfers to be determined at the 2026 Promotions event at Black Diamond Ranch, Florida, January 8 – 11.
Joaquin Niemann Adds Former Champion to Torque Roster
Though the move has not been officially confirmed by LIV, it is expected that the move of Abraham Ancer from Fireballs to Torque will be executed soon.
Sergio Garcia has decided to bring back former Fireball Luis Masaveu who was swapped out mid-season by the aforementioned Ballester.
If the rumours are true, Sergio’s Fireballs would consist of three men below the age of 25, including David Puig who has made strides the past few seasons and is emerging as one of LIV’s most competitive golfers.
In Ancer, Niemann would be adding a proven winner to an already incredibly strong roster that features U.S. Open standout Carlos Ortiz and Sebastian Munoz who shot a 59 at LIV Indianapolis last season before winning the tournament outright.
