LIV Golf Open Zone Predictions: Brendan Steele

As the wait begins for LIV Golf 2026, we take a look back to 2025 and ahead to next season by putting into focus the 24 golfers who escaped relegation but sit in the Open Zone. And then predict whether their current team will offer a contract or if another option is more likely for 2026.

In LIV Golf, the Open Zone is the section of the season-long individual standings for players ranked 25th through 48th. Players in this zone can remain in the league for the following season, but their current team is not obligated to offer them a new contract if their existing deal has expired. This means players in the Open Zone risk becoming free agents and can be signed by other teams or potentially lose their spot in the league if they are not re-signed.

Steele Deserved Better

The HyFlyers veteran and former LIV Golf Champion deserved a better finish than 45th in 2025. Steeley finished inside the points five times, but within a hair of the points another six! The current scoring system put his LIV Golf career in danger.

When you go back and look at the players below Brendan in the Open Zone, you won't find results nearly as consistent. Two t25s mean just one stroke mattered, a hat tip to the difficulty level of staying out of the Drop Zone.

Birdies Without a Putter

Steele finished 16th in the league in Birdies, putting him right there with the upper tier of players. He did this despite a 49th-place rank in Putting Average. If he could fix the game on the green, he might be able to recapture the 2024 winning formula.

13th in Fairway % and 18th in Greens in Regulation % paint the rest of the picture of his consistency. But, as the roster strengthens and deepens, Brandon will have to find a way to score better. The HyFlyers need him to improve.

The Man of Steel Returns

It was more Clark Kent than superhero in '25, but Steele and the HyFlyers are likely to reunite in 2026, especially with the relegation of Andy Ogletree.

Data, quotes, and photos courtesy of LIV Golf media