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LIV Golf 2026 New Player Analysis: Younghan Song

Jan 15, 2026 - 9:17 PMWritten by: Matt Vincenzi

LIV Golf has announced that Younghan Song will be joining the brand-new Korean Golf Club for the 2026 season, joining captain Byeong Hun An.  

PLAYER BIO 

Age: 34 

Nationality: South Korean 

OWGR: 309th 

Data Golf Ranking: 352nd 

Career Wins: 2 (Japan Golf Tour: 2016 SMBC Singapore Open, 2023 Sansan KBC Augusta). 

Career Highlights: Song earned Rookie of the Year honors on both the Korean Tour in 2013 and on the Japan Golf Tour in 2015. His breakthrough victory came in 2016 at the SMBC Singapore Open (co-sanctioned by the JGTO and Asian Tour), where he defeated then-World No. 1 Jordan Spieth by one stroke. After a seven-year winless stretch that included military service and a swing overhaul, he claimed his second JGTO title in 2023 at the Sansan KBC Augusta, finishing at 17-under par to edge Ryutaro Nagano by one stroke. Song has reached a career-high world ranking of 69th (in 2017). 

Best Major Finish: T56 at the 2016 PGA Championship. 

2025 Results: Song had a busy 2025, making 28 starts across the Asian Tour, Korean Tour and Japan Tour. He also made one LIV Golf start as an alternate, finishing T24 at LIV Golf Miami. He ended the year strong, posting 10 top-25 finishes over his last 14 starts. His best finish of the year was a third-place finish at ANA Open Golf Tournament on the Japan Tour.  

Major Eligibility in 2026: As of January 2026, Song is not exempt into any major championships.

2025 RANKS 

No statistics available across Asian Tour, Japan Tour or Korean Tour.  

STATISTICAL PROFILE 

Song is a short hitter off the tee who’s extremely accurate. He is a slightly below iron player but is above average both around and on the greens.

Statistical lookalike: Ian Poulter 

INTERESTING FACTS 

  • After defeating then-World No. 1 Jordan Spieth by one stroke to win the 2016 SMBC Singapore Open, he openly admitted in interviews afterward that he still felt he was mentally "lacking" and needed more major opportunities to build toughness, showing remarkable self-awareness for a young winner. 

  • After his breakout victory, Song underwent a significant swing overhaul and completed mandatory military service in South Korea, which caused a seven-year winless stretch. 

  • In interviews, Song has described golf as "everything" to him, saying he feels no need for anything else and wants to "bet everything" on the sport with even greater urgency and hard work. 

  • Despite ups and downs, Song views challenges like comparing himself to others as common pitfalls for golfers. He focuses on self-improvement without chasing others' strengths, which helped him return to form with a win in 2023.

BOTTOM LINE 

Song was on an encouraging trajectory before facing mandatory military service. After returning, he began to rediscover his form and is currently playing some of the best golf he’s played in seven years. He flashed his LIV Golf potential at Doral, standing up to the brutal test despite the pressure of a step up in competition. Song could surprise golf fans with a strong season in 2026.

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