Pat Perez, a prominent figure on the LIV Golf tour, has had a challenging year on the course, narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2024 season. Known for his outspoken nature and past rivalry with Tiger Woods, Perez finds himself in a precarious position, holding onto his spot on the LIV tour by a slim margin. Ending the season in 48th place, just one position above the automatic relegation zone, he secured his position by a mere 1.56 points. His future on the tour, however, remains uncertain as he heads into 2025, hoping to fend off looming relegation.
Perez’s brush with relegation was almost sealed until Kalle Samooja, another LIV player, scored a 71 in the final round of the last event of the season. Samooja’s score, though not an extraordinary achievement, was just enough to ensure that Perez would not fall into the automatic drop zone. Despite this reprieve, the American golfer must now navigate a tough path to retain his spot on the LIV tour next year. Assuming a team signs him during the free agency period, Perez may secure a contract going into 2025, but his performance will need to improve if he hopes to stay competitive in the LIV league.
Perez’s journey on the LIV tour has been marked by controversy, most notably a public feud with Tiger Woods. When Woods spoke out against LIV Golf in 2021, describing players who joined the Saudi-backed league as money-driven, Perez fired back in a memorable response. Appearing on the “Son of a Butch” podcast, Perez called Woods’ criticism “the stupidest thing” he had ever heard, adding that Woods himself had enjoyed lucrative sponsorships and perks early in his career. “He could have shut it down right then,” Perez remarked, referencing Woods’ early $40 million Nike deal and his access to a private jet. For Perez, the criticism felt like a double standard from one of golf’s wealthiest stars.
The controversy didn’t stop with Pat, as his wife, Ashley Perez, also criticized Woods after his 2021 car accident, which nearly ended his career. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Ashley wrote, “Literally why driving under the influence is ILLEGAL. I don’t feel bad for him. Thank god he didn’t kill anyone. See ya.” Her comment stirred backlash from Woods’ supporters, and she later removed the post after it was confirmed that Woods was not under the influence at the time of the accident.
The incident with Woods, both Pat’s comments and Ashley’s social media post, sparked ongoing tension between the Perez family and the larger golfing community. Yet, despite his history of controversy, Perez remains a key player on the LIV tour. He turned professional in 1997 and boasts three PGA Tour wins to his name: the 2009 Bob Hope Classic, the 2016 OHL Classic at Mayakoba, and the 2017 CIMB Classic. Since joining LIV, however, Perez has yet to secure an individual title, though he contributed to his team’s victory with Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces GC at the 2023 Team Championship.
As he prepares for 2025, Perez is undoubtedly feeling the pressure to perform, with relegation fears hanging over his head. The LIV league is set to intensify, and if Perez doesn’t elevate his game, he could find himself out of the league. Whether his outspoken nature and reputation for controversy will help or hinder him remains to be seen. His career now hinges on his ability to break through his recent struggles and secure his place among LIV’s elite—a feat that might prove as challenging as his rivalries on and off the course.
For Perez, the upcoming season is not just about maintaining his spot on the LIV tour but also about proving his resilience as a competitor and a player with staying power in the ever-evolving landscape of golf. The stakes are higher than ever, and all eyes will be on him as he battles to avoid the same fate he narrowly escaped this season.
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