LIV Golf 2026: Thomas Detry about to switch - Akshay Bhatia says no to millions

Shortly before the start of the new season in Riyadh, LIV Golf is under massive pressure. While the league is fighting for recognition with a historic format change to 72 holes, a clear rejection from PGA talent Akshay Bhatia is making headlines. Has the allure of big money already evaporated for the young stars of the golf world?

Why Akshay Bhatia is giving LIV Golf the cold shoulder

LIV Golf 's personnel planning has been dealt a severe blow. As reported by the Golf Channel, among others, the 23-year-old US-American Akshay Bhatia has turned down a highly remunerative offer from the Saudi-funded league. Bhatia, who already has two victories on the PGA Tour and is regarded as one of the industry's up-and-coming stars, made a conscious decision not to make the switch.

This rejection is particularly painful for LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil. It shows that the strategy of luring young top athletes with record-breaking sums no longer works unconditionally. For players like Bhatia, the sporting Traditions and long-term prospects on the PGA Tour currently seem to outweigh the immediate riches at LIV Golf.

New faces for LIV Golf: Thomas Detry and Elvis Smylie

In order to strengthen the squad nevertheless, the league has added to the "transfer market". Belgian Thomas Detry, who won the 2025 World Championship Phoenix Open, is regarded as the most important new signing of the current transfer period. He is expected to strengthen the "4Aces" team around captain Dustin Johnson. In addition, the young Australian Elvis Smylie has joined the squad and will tee off for Cameron Smith's "Ripper GC", which is made up entirely of compatriots.

Although these names guarantee sporting quality, they lack the global appeal to massively increase spectator interest. In addition to Detry and Smylie, Laurie Canter also returns, who even gave up his hard-won playing rights on the PGA Tour to do so. From January 8-11, around 80 other players will compete for three tour cards for the 2026 season at the qualifying tournament. The winners will compete as soloists and will not initially be part of a team.

The quake after Koepka's departure

However, the biggest building site for LIV Golf remains the loss of Brooks Koepka. The fact that one of the most high-profile major champions is turning his back on the league has changed the statics of the entire project. Even Bryson DeChambeau, whose own contract expires at the end of 2026, is pondering this development.

In an interview with Flushing It, DeChambeau emphasized that the league must enter a new phase: "With Brooks leaving, there are challenges of their own. [...] I want to promote team golf worldwide, but the framework has to be right. There is a lot to do to get it right. Things have to change and improve."

Strategic reform: 72 holes against insignificance

In order to counter criticism of the previous 54-hole tournaments and finally secure the coveted world ranking points (OWGR), LIV Golf is changing the format from 2026. In future, all tournaments will be played over four days and 72 holes. This will bring the league closer to the classic standard of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

However, critics remain skeptical as to whether this measure will be enough to offset the dwindling hype. In a recent analysis, the American magazine Scratch Golf aptly states: "LIV's era of simply poaching the best players in the world is over. [...] As the mystery has faded and the shine has worn off, it's becoming increasingly clear where the highest quality golf is being played."

Crucial months for LIV Golf

The coming months will be decisive for the future of LIV Golf. The rejection of talents like Bhatia and the open hesitation of figureheads like DeChambeau indicate that the league has lost its status as an unstoppable "disruptor". Fans can look forward to seeing whether the switch to 72 holes and the start of the season in Saudi Arabia on February 4 can turn things around.