A single spot in LIV Golf’s upcoming season has drawn dozens of hopefuls to Saudi Arabia this week, including several notable American players looking for a fresh start.
The 72-hole event at Riyadh Golf Club marks a significant change from last year when three spots were up for grabs. Now, it’s winner-take-all.
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Former NCAA champion Fred Biondi is among those taking their shot. The Florida Gator star, who led his team to a national title before turning pro two summers ago, has struggled to find his footing on the Korn Ferry Tour with just two top-25 finishes this season.
The Schniederjans brothers are also in the mix, each with their own comeback story.
Ollie Schniederjans, once a PGA Tour regular, has been fighting his way back after double hip surgery in 2022. His younger brother Luke, 26, is still trying to establish himself in pro golf with less than ten starts on major tours.
For some players, this represents a second chance after recent setbacks. Santiago de la Fuente, who graduated from Houston this year, is looking to bounce back after falling short at PGA Tour Q-School just weeks ago.
The tournament’s format is uniquely challenging. Players must first survive an opening round cut, with only the top 20 and ties advancing. Scores reset after that, leading to another cut before the final 36 holes – where everything starts fresh again.
Five current LIV members are competing, including Hudson Swafford and Branden Grace. They’ll get a bye into the second round.
The field includes some intriguing wild cards:
– Luis Masaveu, a U.S. Amateur semifinalist
– Chris Wood, a former Ryder Cup player
– John Catlin, currently a LIV reserve player
– Spencer Levin, a longtime tour veteran
Whoever wins won’t automatically join a LIV team – they might spend the season as a wild-card player instead.
It’s a diverse field of more than 90 players, ranging from decorated veterans to fresh-faced amateurs, all chasing that one precious spot in golf’s most talked-about new tour.
