LIV Golf Open Zone Predictions: Lee Westwood

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.

Westy At The Open

Lee Westwood finished in the top half of LIV Golf events just twice in 2025, enough to stave off relegation, but he performed well in the lone Major Championship (The Open) in which he was included in the field. Westwood finished t34, firing an opening round 69 that left him inside the overnight Top 10.

He followed that up with a 70 and a 69 on Friday and Saturday, and while Sunday (73) was not to be, the Majesticks captain did well to dispel thoughts of his golf demise. He finished ahead of Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, and Viktor Hovland, all of whom are on the Euro Ryder Cup team in 2025.

Solid Not Spectacular Stat Lines

Westy did not stand out in any statistical category in league play, but even a moderate increase in Greens In Regulation (40th at 63.06%) could have put him in a better position to score significantly better (37th in Birdies).

At 52, he averaged 304.8 yards driving. Impressive by anyone's standards. There's a chance he could play his way into some 2026 leaderboards at that number.

One More Year

Westwood is in no jeopardy of losing his roster spot this offseason. The Majesticks, while needing a roster overhaul, will likely retain three to four players (4/4 if Stenson wins Promotions). He staved off Father Time, at least for one more year.

Quotes and stats courtesy of LIV Golf Media