DP World Tour winner set sights on joining LIV after catching DeChambeau’s eye

Three-time DP World Tour champion John Catlin has revealed he is chasing a permanent move to LIV Golf after featuring as a reserve alongside Bryson DeChambeau.

Catlin was brought in for the injured Charles Howell III at LIV Nashville and LIV Houston in June and impressed in both, most notably in the latter where he finished in a tie for seventh after 54 holes. For now the American has returned to the Asian Tour, whose International Series event is taking place in Morocco this week.

The player leading the series’ Order of Merit at the end of the 2024 campaign will earn themselves a spot on the LIV setup for 2025, an achievement earned by former US Amateur champion Andy Ogletree last season.

READ MORE: Jordan Spieth remains tight-lipped over PGA Tour’s LIV Golf merger – “I could get in trouble”

READ MORE: LIV Golf star gives honest verdicts on Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood after securing Open spot

This time around Catlin – who is currently second in the standings behind LIV member Carlos Ortiz – has set his sights on following in the footsteps of Ogletree having got a taste for the breakaway league. “[The international Series] is definitely priority one for me now,” Catlin claimed in Morocco.

“Having experienced the LIV Golf events, they are really cool. We are very well looked after and playing that calibre of field for that kind of money is something we all want. That is priority one and I am looking for what will unfold over the next eight events.”

Catlin’s brief performances on the Saudi-backed setup have already earned the plaudits of one of the league’s biggest names in DeChambeau, who praised his countryman’s efforts when subbing in for his Crushers team on two occasions last month. Heading into the final round in Nashville, Catlin found himself in second, three shots behind eventual champion Tyrrell Hatton.

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US.

And whilst he failed to make his mark in the final round, US Open champion DeChambeau was left more than impressed. “He’s a fantastic golfer,” DeChambeau said last month. I grew up playing some golf with him in northern California, and we had some battles early on in our careers, in junior golf even.

“He’s a stellar player. He’s shot in the 50s and won a few times this year now. It just fit our team really well, and I’m praying for Charles that he’s going to be healthy and get back here pretty soon. He’s struggling with some stuff, but I have faith that he’ll be back at our next event.

“You know what, I couldn’t be more proud of John and the way he’s performing for our team.” Competing in Morocco on Thursday, Catlin has continued his hot form, announcing himself as the early leader thanks to a superb seven-under-par 66 which included five birdies and an eagle.