DP World Tour players will not need to ask for a tournament release to enter LIV Golf’s version of qualifying school, according to a report.
LIV Golf Promotions will be staged next January in the United States at Black Diamond Ranch in Florida.
The top two finishes in the four-day, 72-hole tournament will be fully exempt on the PIF-backed league in 2026.
A DP World Tour spokesperson has confirmed to bunkered that members will not be required to apply for a tournament release if they wish to enter, providing there is no tournament clash.
There are no DP World Tour or HotelPlanner events held that week so there is every chance some golfers may fancy their chances.
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There is also the added incentive of earning an exemption into the 2026 International Series.
LIV Golf have held two ‘promotions’ events since its inception in 2022.
In 2023, Kalle Samooja, Kieran Vincent, and Jinichiro Kozuma advanced to the league, but the following year LIV cut the number of golden tickets to one – awarded to Max Lee
LIV Golf confirmed earlier in the week they were increasing the number back to two for their 2026 event.
Elsewhere, the leading two players in the International Series will also be given full-time LIV Golf contracts.
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It is widely assumed LIV are making changes to the promotion and relegation system to try and finally get the green light for Official World Golf Ranking accreditation.
LIV have also abandoned their 54-hole format.
PGA Tour will deem LIV Golf Promotions “unauthorized event”
Whilst the DP World Tour will not prohibit members from taking part in LIV Golf Promotions, the PGA Tour have made it very clear they deem it an “unauthorized event”.
Sports Illustrated reported on 4 November that players even without Tour status could be penalised.
That is because the event is being staged in the United States.
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SI report that any player with PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions or Korn Ferry status will not be granted a media rights release and will be subject to disciplinary action if they elect to participate.
The PGA Tour have confirmed that players even without status would be subject to a one-year ban.
Several PGA Tour members have played in LIV’s version of qualifying school in the past.
Kyle Stanley, Kevin Chappell, Martin Trainer and Ollie Schniederjans are among those that have previously entered.
Schniederjans lost in a playoff at LIV Golf Promotions last December and filled in as a reserve this season.
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LIV Golf Promitions
Scheduled dates
Venue
Black Diamond Ranch, Lecanto, Florida, USA
Format
Four rounds of stroke play (one round per day)
Field / Entry path
Multiple entry categories: Category A players qualify for Round 1; Category B players enter at Round 2
Progression / cuts
• Round 1: top 20+ties advance to Round 2
• Round 2: scores reset, top 20+ties advance to final two‑day 36‑hole shootout
Prize purse
$1.5m
Winner’s prize
$200,000
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