2025 LIV Golf Season Preview: Majesticks GC

The 2025 LIV Golf League season starts Feb. 6 in Riyadh. Here’s a quick look at Majesticks GC.

OVERVIEW

Lineup

• Ian Poulter (Co-Captain), England
• Henrik Stenson (Co-Captain), Sweden
• Lee Westwood (Co-Captain), England
• Sam Horsfield, England

Who’s New? No one. The lineup has remained intact (outside of injuries) since Stenson joined LIV Golf in 2022 and won in his first start at Bedminster. The three UK-born players have been together since Day 1.

The Offseason: British sportswear giant Castore recently announced a multi-year agreement to become the Majesticks’ “Official Worldwide Apparel Partner” … The team launched its docuseries “Inside The Ropes” in November, a peel-back-the-curtain look at the 2024 season … Horsfield competed in three late-season International Series tournaments, with his best finish a T22 at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers … Poulter turned 49 on Jan. 10.

Going to be a good year if … the three co-captains turn back the clock.

ALL-TIME RESULTS

Trophies Won

INDIVIDUAL (1)
2022 Bedminster – Stenson

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Experience – The three co-captains combine for more than 75 years of professional golf experience, with 23 Ryder Cup appearances (and 15 victories).

Course knowledge – Their familiarity with many of the international courses on the LIV Golf schedule should be an advantage.

Young Horse – Horsfield’s solo second in Nashville last season is perhaps a sign that he’s turned the corner.

OPPORTUNITIES

Birdie increase – No team made fewer birdies in 2024 than the Majesticks. With just 54 holes per tournament, they need to step on the gas.

Locked Out – The team hasn’t had a Lock Zone finisher in the league’s first two full seasons. A consistent strong performer would be a huge spark.

WORTH NOTING

PODIUM SEARCH. The Majesticks came “annoying close,” to quote Henrik Stenson, to ending their podium drought in 2024. In Hong Kong, they were one shot shy of third; in Nashville, it was two shots; and in Chicago, it was one shot. The team will enter the 2025 season having played its last 30 LIV Golf tournaments without a podium finish.

“If things would’ve gone our way, we could have had three or four podium finishes last year,” Stenson said, “and then you would’ve looked at the season completely different.”

The fourth-place results, while frustrating, were also encouraging. “It’s pretty close for us,” said Sam Horsfield, whose solo second in Nashville was the team’s best individual finish since Stenson’s 2022 Bedminster win. “For us to step up on that podium is not far way. Very doable.” Added Westwood simply: “We need some podiums.”

IAN’S EQUIPMENT. Ian Poulter is making some significant adjustments in his bag, particularly with the shafts and possibly a new ball. “Been a long time since I’ve changed my shafts,” said Poulter, who’s never been much of a tinkerer with equipment. “Just trying to find some extra stuff, equipment-wise, to lean on.”

He’s hoping the adjustments will increase his spin and allow him to hit a higher ball flight. “Manufacturers have been taking spin away from us with all of the new technology of balls,” he explained. “They want the ball to go a long way, and the way to do that is to reduce spin. Good for some, bad for others. It’s been bad for me. So, I’d like to get back to a position where I feel like I can spin the ball as much as I need to, control my flight the way I need to.”

One other positive development for Poulter – he’s finally healthy after hurting his left ankle last year playing padel tennis. “I wasn’t 100%,” he said. “Healthy in the mind and healthy in the body is a good thing to have.”

HOUSE DIVIDED. Lee Westwood and his wife Helen attended Nottingham Forest’s home game against Newcastle in November. Lee is a diehard Forest fan; Helen supports Newcastle. The outcome? 3-1 for the visitors. Joked Westwood about the return trip home: “Longest 4-hour drive I’ve ever had.”

CO-CAPTAIN'S LAST WORD