International golf continues to experience a period of intense movement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf. Players' paths intertwine and diverge, while the systembetween economic interests and new formatschanges year after year. Recent protagonists of this coming and going include Frenchman Victor Perez and Swede Henrik Stenson.
Victor Perez is the first player in 2025 to leave the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to join the Saudi circuit. Team Cleeks officially announced him for the 2026 season, replacing Frederik Kjettrup, who was demoted for failing to finish in the top 48 in the points standings.
Victor Perez, results
Perez, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour and a two-time PGA Tour member, played almost exclusively on the PGA in 2025. But his FedEx Cup ranking (No. 108) put him in serious danger of losing his membership.
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In case you're in doubt, here's the move to the Arabs. "Joining Cleeks Golf Club is like joining the next great chapter in golf: a team that pushes boundaries and brings new energy to the game," said the 33-year-old Frenchman.
He joins Cleeks with captain Martin Kaymer, Adrian Meronk, and Richard Bland.
While Perez soars to the court of petrodollars, Henrik Stenson is taking the opposite path. The 49-year-old Swede was officially demoted after finishing 49th in the LIV individual rankings: too low to avoid the drop zone imposed by the Saudi tour.
Stenson had an unremarkable season, culminating in a decisive overtake on Ian Poulter in the final individual event. Relegated and with no guarantee of a return, he now appears intent on returning to the DP World Tour in 2026.
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First, however, he had to pay fines exceeding 1.13 million, imposed by the DP World Tour for playing in LIV events in violation of the rules. In 2023, he resigned from the tour, just a week after Poulter, Garcia, Westwood, and Bland. In three years, the Swede is estimated to have earned approximately 15 million in prize money on the Saudi tour.
"During a career, there are good years and bad years: it's part of professional sport," said Stenson, who now aims to relaunch himself on the European circuit and return to competitiveness.
Opposite migrations, a golf in precarious balance
The decisions of Perez and Stenson are an exact reflection of the world's professional golf. Playing on the LIV means not risking your status and cards: the PIF fund guarantees contracts and financial stability. Those who can no longer make it on the LIV return to the traditional circuits to rebuild their careers and maintain a connection with the official rankings and access to the majors.
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Meanwhile, the DP World Tour sees excellent comebacks and continues to penalize those who break the rules, while the LIV imposes a relegation system and a new four-day format to get closer to OWGR accreditation.
