LIV Golf Open Zone Predictions: Matthew Wolff

Aaron Pagliaro (54 Golf Content Creation Lead)

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.

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Back Injury Costs Wolff

Starting the season with a T15 in Riyadh, hopes were again high for Matthew Wolff. He went cold over the next 5 events, before surging the leaderboard on Sunday in Korea to a sixth-place finish. But the Goats lost their youngest member to a back injury in Virginia.

Wolff had to withdraw from the event despite a fast start on Friday and would miss the next two events while recovering. The diagnosis? "An annular tear with a deep strain in the multifidus muscle, along with a degenerative disc." Back injuries in golf can prove disastrous to careers, just ask Tiger Woods or Will Zalatoris.

Big Drives Without Stellar Iron Play

Matthew Wolff is known for his length off the tee, averaging 321.1 yards (8th in the league). While it isn't accurate (45th in Fairway Hot %), the 26-year-old uses this skill to score on Par 5s, finishing 7th in LIV Golf in Eagles in 2025.

Despite his advantage off the tee, Matthew's iron play held him back. 50th in Greens in Regulation % led to a 51st in Birdies (missing nearly 9 rounds didn't help, either). It wasn't approach shots alone, but his 46th rank in Scrambling % showed inconsistencies around the greens.

Is 26 Still Young Enough To Bet On The Future?

These years are supposed to be the beginning of a golf career peak. A lot will be made of the back injury, rightfully so, but Matthew Wolff needs to start turning the corner from young hope to proven winner...soon. Even before the injury, Wolff had five consecutive finishes of 42nd or worse. That won't cut it.

He's not old, but the "youthful" tag is wearing thin on Matthew. Add in a back injury, and there is enough cause for concern for RangeGoats GC captain Bubba Watson, who had all three of his teammates finish outside of the Top 35 in the standings, to consider making some moves.

Ultimately, some team (perhaps the Goats) will keep Matthew Wolff around in 2026. Whether it is another trade or a signing, his signature swing will return. The question is, will his back and irons cooperate to return him to the Lock Zone finish he had in 2024?

Data, quotes, and photos courtesy LIV Golf Media