LIV Golf Riyadh 2026 preview, picks & analysis
By: Derek Clements | Edited: Mon 02 Feb 2026
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The 2026 LIV Golf season gets under way in Saudi Arabia this week amid chaos and with a new format.
The new format will see LIV’s 57-man fields playing a full 72 holes for the first time. Oh yes, and this being LIV, the tournament is being played under floodlights.
The chaos surrounds Dubai Desert Classic winner Patrick Reed, who announced after his success on the DP World Tour that he had yet to sign a new contract for 2026. It seems that nobody had bothered to tell LIV, who were quick to proudly publicise their man’s victory at one of the DP World Tour’s most prestigious events.
Less than 72 hours later he revealed that he was indeed leaving and will be spending the rest of 2026 on the DP World Tour with a view to returning to the PGA Tour in 2027.
Make no mistake, coming hot on the heels of Brooks Koepka’s return to the fold, this is another hammer blow for LIV, and could not have come at a worse time.
While many of his now former colleagues have had their feet up during a long off-session, Reed has kept himself busy, winning in Dubai and climbing back into the top 30 in the world rankings, thus ensuring his place in all four majors this year.
He had been quoted as saying that the PGA Tour is the best in the world and it seems likely that if he is offered a route back then he will be grabbing it with both hands. As things stand, he will have to wait until the 2027 season.
However, he already knows that he can make a full-time return with the DP World Tour where, ironically, he could earn one of the 10 PGA Tour cards on offer.
Spain’s David Puig has followed Reed's example by playing plenty of golf in the early part of the year and he will also be raring to go. He hits the ball a mile and is a truly thrilling talent who really should have a huge future ahead of him.
But all eyes will once again be on Bryson DeChambeau. He is the LIV golfer who moves the needle like no other and at a time of such uncertainty for the Saudi-backed tour, they need him to be firing on all cylinders right from the off.
It has to be said that LIV’s new signings for this year have been pretty low key. Twelve months ago, Thomas Detry was winning the Phoenix Open for his first PGA Tour success. This week he will be playing in Saudi Arabia for a $4m first prize.
Laurie Canter dropped a bombshell when he announced that he was returning to LIV. You will recall that he was dropped amid some acrimony and was bitterly critical of his Saudi paymasters. He then rejoined the DP World Tour and had two successful seasons, narrowly missing out on the the Ryder Cup and gaining one of the coveted PGA Tour cards on offer. But instead of heading across the pond, Canter announced that he was returning to LIV. Time will tell whether it is a move he lives to regret.
He will be joined by Frenchman Victor Perez, young American Michael La Sasso, the big-hitting Australian Elvis Smylie and South Korea’s Ben An, while Anthony Kim also gets a second bite at the cherry.
Brooks Koepka has gone, as has Kevin Na, but my overall impression of it all is that we are simply going to be served up more of the same.
I would expect Talor Gooch to enjoy more success and Jon Rahm will continue to grind out top-10 finishes. The Spaniard has yet to finish outside the top 10 in any LIV tournament but there is no doubt that his overall form has suffered since he signed that massive LIV contract.
Tournament Winners:
It was won last year by Adrian Meronk.
The Course:
Riyadh Golf Club, known as the Pearl of the Desert, is a par 72, measures 7,361 yards and features a host of water hazards and bunkers. Expect to see plenty of low scoring as the fairways are wide, with little or no rough.
Form Guide:
Many LIV players have had their feet up but not David Puig and I expect him to make the running.
Prize Money:
The first prize is a whopping $4m.
How to Watch:
Wednesday, February 4-Saturday, February 7, TNT Sports 2.30pm.
To Win:
David Puig. Terrific talent
Each Way:
Bryson DeChambeau. Impossible to ignore
Each Way:
Talor Gooch. Has been a regular LIV winner
Five to Follow:
David Puig. Big, big hitter
Bryson DeChambeau. Has every shot in the book
Talor Gooch. So consistent
Thomas Detry. Sweet swinger
Anthony Kim. Could surprise a few people this year
About the author
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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