LIV Golf 2026 New Player Analysis: Bjorn Hellgren

Jan 13, 2026 - 12:30 PMWritten by: Matt Vincenzi

LIV Golf is set to welcome Swedish talent Bjorn Hellgren, who secured one of the three wildcard spots for the 2026 season with a clutch final-round 6-under 64 at LIV Golf Promotions, finishing second overall. 

PLAYER BIO

Age: 35

Nationality: Swedish

OWGR: 438th 

Data Golf Ranking: unranked

Career Wins: 8 (Asian Tour): 2025 Saudi Open presented by PIF; Nordic Golf League: 2013 Landeryd Masters, 2015 SM Match, 2016 Lumine Lakes Open, 2023 Arlandastad Trophy; (Swedish Golf Tour): Black Mountain Invitational 2014 and 2015, 2020 PGA Championship Bråviken Open.

Career Highlights: Hellgren claimed his breakthrough Asian Tour victory at the 2025 Saudi Open presented by PIF in December. He finished sixth on the 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit. In 2022, he led the Asian Tour in driving distance (313.62 yards). He turned pro in 2013 after leaving college following the European Amateur Championship.

Best Major Finish: No major championship appearances.

2025 Results: Strong year capped by his maiden Asian Tour win at the Saudi Open. He had five top-20 finishes prior to his win and was consistent throughout the year.

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

2025 ASIAN TOUR RANKS

Scoring Average: 70.78 (60th) 

Driving Distance: 298.15 (60th) 

Driving Accuracy: 60.96 % (68th) 

Greens in Regulation: 68.92% (60th) 

Birdie Average (per tournament): 3.59 (69th) 

Scrambling: 55.87% (68th) 

STATISTICAL PROFILE

Hellgren is a powerful, long-hitting player with a big-driving game suited to modern courses. In 2025, he dialed back his aggressiveness off the tee to hit more fairways, but with some of the long courses on LIV Golf, he may dial his driving distance back up again. He is a streaky player who can score in bunches when he gets hot, as evidenced by his performance in LIV Golf Promotions.

Statistical lookalike: Matthew Wolff 

INTERESTING FACTS

  • He played college golf at Florida State University (2011-2013).

  • He played ice hockey competitively until age 15 before focusing fully on golf.

  • In 2020, he shot a bogey-free 60 (-12) in the PGA Championship Bråviken Open, including 8 birdies and 2 eagles. He came agonizingly close to shooting a 59 when his final birdie putt stopped just short of the cup.

  • He becomes the second Swede to play full-time on LIV Golf, following one of his childhood heroes, Henrik Stenson. 

  • He topped the 2015 Swedish Golf Tour Order of Merit.

BOTTOM LINE 

Hellgren brings power, recent winning form and a great deal of grit to LIV Golf in 2026. Although this will be a major step up in competition, the Swede paid his dues by grinding on multiple tours to earn this opportunity. His journey from the Nordic Golf League and Swedish Golf Tour to a breakthrough Asian Tour win, to qualifying through LIV Golf Promotions is the type of perseverance that makes professional golf so captivating.

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