In a media release on LIV Golf’s website, Jones’s name was among those “relegated or without a contract for the following season from the final 2025 LIV Golf Individual Standings”.

Jones, who finished 40th in individual standings in 2025 and thus in the not contracted “Open Zone” will contest a LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida from January 8-11.

As Ripper captain Cameron Smith told this journal in our December issue: “’Jonesy’ didn’t have the best season this year, and I’m really close with him. I would’ve loved him to have a better season.”

Smith said that he wants a similar team make-up to that of Jon Rahm’s 2025 champion Legion XIII, which complements senior players – Rahm, Tyrell Hatton – with young stars on the up, in this case 22-year-old Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, and Caleb Surrat, 21, from the U.S.

"Jonny Rahm’s team, that’s kind of what we’re trying to replicate," Smith said.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be next year or in the years to come, but we want to be the best team we can be. And we certainly weren’t this year.

"So, yeah, maybe there’s some stuff happening.”

Ripper GC General Manager Nick Adams said: "We haven't finalised our roster for 2026 as of yet."

PLUS...

Cleary: Why LIV Golf needs Johnny Miller

On a fold-out and aptly-named Lazy Boy lounge, with LIV Golf in HD on a Smart TV, with Cowboys and Dolphins streaming via the magic of Bluetooth (I will not ever fathom how) onto a less smart but still very adequate other TV, and with a cold tinny of beer wedged into the excellent can-holder socket thing on the hand-rest, you could make a case this was the perfect Sunday afternoon.

During the Australian Open, News Ltd broke the news that Ripper GC had approached 24-year-old “Koala” Karl Vilips, champion of the Puerto Rico Open. 

It is likely Smith and Ripper team officials have held talks with the management of other Australian professionals.

Chris Wood, 32, may not count as young but the NSW Open champion is among those contesting the LIV Golf Promotions event in January at the Tom Fazio-designed Black Diamond Ranch golf course in Florida.

Other Australians in the field are Travis Smyth, Anthony Quayle, Cameron John, Jason Scrivener, Will Florimo, Brett Drewitt, Wade Ormsby, Harrison Crowe, Cory Crawford, Matias Sanchez and Jack Buchanan. 

According to LIV’s website the “top two finishers will earn two highly coveted spots in the LIV Golf League for 2026, as well as $200,000 for first place and $150,000 for second place.

“The top 10 finishers, including ties, will earn full exemption into the 2026 International Series, sanctioned by the Asian Tour.”