According to Tom Hobbs of Flushing It Golf, Si Woo Kim – one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour over the past decade – has entered the “final stage of negotiations” with LIV. If completed, the move would ripple across both the Presidents Cup system and the competitive landscape of the PGA Tour.

A major loss for the Presidents Cup, a strategic win for LIV

Si Woo Kim, the 2017 Players Championship winner, has been a cornerstone of the International Team in three consecutive Presidents Cups. With a current world ranking of No. 47 and a season marked by stability (30 starts in 2025, 22 cuts made, three top-10 finishes and a T4 at the RSM Classic), Kim is one of the most accomplished Asian golfers on Tour today.

A switch to LIV would mean the International Team loses yet another key figure at a time when many of its top players are already migrating to the Saudi-backed league.

LIV Golf made its first stop in Korea in 2025, and the Asian market – particularly South Korea – has become a strategic priority. Signing Si Woo Kim would provide not only on-course value but also a powerful platform to build audience, brand presence and commercial partnerships in one of the most golf-obsessed countries in the world.

Kim is widely expected to join Kevin Na’s Iron Heads GC, potentially reshaping the team’s competitive profile heading into the 2026 season.

A new wave of player movement shaping LIV Golf 2026

During the 2025 offseason, LIV announced two new signings: Victor Perez and Laurie Canter. But compared with the stature of Si Woo Kim, these were merely preliminary moves.

Following the 2025 season, six players were relegated from LIV. Up to this point:

Three spots have been filled through direct signings.

Two more went to Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji, who earned their places via the Asian Tour’s International Series.

The remaining two spots will be awarded at next month’s Promotions Event.

This means the 2026 roster could feature at least seven new faces, raising the total number of players to approximately 55—a figure fueling speculation that LIV Golf may unveil a 14th team next season.

Why the Si Woo Kim signing matters

Kim represents a rare blend of qualities that LIV has been actively seeking:

- Sustained Tour performance: 300 PGA Tour starts and four significant victories.

- Market power in Asia: especially in South Korea—a commercial and fanbase goldmine.

- Elite competitive form: consistently ranked inside the top 50 in both the FedEx Cup and OWGR.

If the deal is finalized, LIV Golf will be adding far more than a star player—it will be taking another major step in reshaping the entire structure of professional golf.