20 November 2023 , 23:04
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LIV Golf star Pat Perez has been re-signed by Dustin Johnson's 4Aces, in the latest switch in the breakaway circuit's offseason transfer window.
LIV have entered a new unknown in the past month, after the opening of their first-ever transfer window - which is taking place in three stages. The latest step has seen a number of its playing members whose deals with the Saudi-backed league had expired enter 'free agency'.
One of those was three-time PGA Tour winner Perez, but the 47-year-old's future is now officially secure after being re-called by the 4Aces and his former world No. 1 captain Johnson.
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Perez spent his first two seasons with the Saudi-backed series playing for the 4Aces and helped secure his team the inaugural LIV Team Championship in 2022. 12 months later, Johnson's four-man setup headed to Miami in the perfect spot to defend their title, having led the 2023 team standings following the end of the regular season.
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They were unable to go back-to-back at Trump Doral though, as they finished the final in fourth, as B ryson DeChambeau's Crushers were crowned champions. Individually it was an improved season for Perez, despite finishing in the breakaway league's Open Zone. Having struggled in 2022, the American secured three-top 10 finishes from 13 events this time around, before finishing the year 28th in the standings.
One of those came at second of the 4Aces' two 2023 wins at LIV London in July, and the 47-year-old admitted he was pleased to contribute for his team. "We want to win every week," he said at Centurion in the summer. "We have a really good team.
Pat Perez will spend a third season with the 4Aces (AP)"We have guys that are always going to play well. Being able to step up my game enough this year to actually help and contribute for once, it's actually been satisfying for me. Last year I didn't do anything, which kind of sucks. I knew coming into the season I had to be a better player than I was, and I've worked hard at it to try to help a lot and contribute.
"The wins feel a little sweeter to me this year than last year, so I'm really happy with team wins, and it's nice to kind of separate ourselves again." Perez's 4Aces recall means just nine spaces now remain on the 48-man roster for 2024, which is soon set to be reduced to five.
Three places will be taken via the third step of LIV's offseason transfer window at next month's Q-School event in Abu Dhabi. A number of hopefuls will head to the Middle East to compete in a 72-hole event over three days, with the top-three finishers earning a spot on the breakaway league.
Another spot will also be taken by the Asian Tour's International Series' winner, with this being snapped up by former LIV star Andy Ogletree. Ogletree was cut from the LIV roster after just one event in 2022, but the U.S. Amateur champion will get the chance to prove himself across a full season next year.