The LIV Golf winter transfer window has ignited with a significant move, as former world number 11 Abraham Ancer has switched teams. The Mexican star has departed Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC to join the all-Latin American squad, Torque GC.
Ancer Bolsters Latin American Roster
Abraham Ancer replaces Mito Pereira at Torque GC, one of six players relegated from the Saudi-backed league at the end of the 2025 season. Ancer brings strong form, having finished in the top 12 for the last two seasons and clinching the LIV Golf Hong Kong title in 2024.
"Joining Torque GC is an exciting next step, both personally and professionally," said Ancer. "Competing as part of an all-Latin team alongside close friends, whom I admire on and off the golf course adds a layer of connection and purpose that I can’t wait to be a part of."
Torque GC's Chilean captain, Joaquín Niemann, who finished second behind Jon Rahm in the 2025 individual standings, welcomed the addition. "Abraham is a proven winner and a fierce competitor... His addition makes us stronger and deepens the bond that drives everything we do," Niemann stated.
LIV's Strategy: Building Franchise Value
This transfer activity is a key part of LIV Golf's plan to generate interest and build its brand. The league aims for its free agency and transfer window to become a major event, similar to the NFL's Draft Day. The ultimate goal is to sell the 13 teams as franchises to recoup the league's substantial investment, reported to be around $5 billion to date.
HyFlyers GC captain Phil Mickelson endorsed the process. "Every team has the chance to re-evaluate and build something special in the offseason, just like in other major sports," he said. "It also keeps fans invested and engaged."
The era of massive signing-on fees appears to be over, with only Victor Perez and the returning Laurie Canter joining as new signings so far. Canter chose a spot on the Majesticks team, replacing former Open champion Henrik Stenson, over taking up a PGA Tour card.
Relegations and Faldo's Criticism
The bottom six players from the 2025 season—Henrik Stenson, Mito Pereira, Andy Ogletree, Yubin Yang, Anthony Kim, and Frederik Kjettrup—were relegated. Pereira, who infamously led on the 72nd tee of the 2022 US PGA before a double bogey, finished 51st out of 54 LIV players last season.
The transfer moves come amid stinging criticism from golf legend Sir Nick Faldo. The six-time Major winner this week labelled LIV Golf stars as the "luckiest golfers in the world" due to the perceived lack of competition for the lucrative prizes.
Faldo specifically cited Niemann's $20 million earnings contrasted with his major championship performances. "He’s their star player, it’s bonkers. They are so fortunate," Faldo told the NCG Golf Podcast.
Meanwhile, two new players—Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Japan's Yosuke Asaji—earned spots via the International Series, with two more places available at the LIV Promotions event in January. The 2026 LIV Golf season is scheduled to begin in Riyadh in February.
