LIV Golf 2026 Season Player Preview: Charl Schwartzel

The 2026 LIV Golf season starts next February under the lights in Riyadh, and in the coming weeks, we’ll take a detailed look at each player competing next season. Next up is a former Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel of Stinger GC.

LOOKING AHEAD

The 2026 season presents a massive opportunity for Schwartzel and the all-South African Stinger GC team with the addition of a home tournament. Schwartzel's path to individual success and securing another Lock Zone finish hinges on turning his fantastic putting into a few more top-10 finishes. Stinger GC is always dangerous in the team format thanks to Schwartzel’s camaraderie and experience playing with Louis Oosthuizen  and Branden Grace.

LOOKING BACK

Charl Schwartzel had a strong 2025 season, quietly finishing inside the Lock Zone for the third time in four seasons. The former Masters champion solidified his status as a dependable player despite recording just two individual top-10 finishes. Schwartzel was the league’s best putter, which helped him secure seven top-24 finishes. He played an integral role in the Stinger GC team victory at LIV Golf Chicago, where the team triumphed in just the second double playoff in LIV Golf history.

Schwartzel thrived once again in the team format at the Michigan Team Championship, where he and Oosthuizen were an unbeaten (2-0) alternate shot pairing.

WHAT THE STATS SAY 

Strengths: Schwartzel had a phenomenal season with the putter. He led the league in Strokes Gained: Putting, gaining an average of +0.73 strokes per round. His play on and around the greens was close to flawless, as he also ranked 14th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green. Another strength of the South African’s short game was his bunker play. He made 63% of his sand saves, which ranked 2nd in the league.

Schwartzel had a solid iron season, ranking 24th in Strokes Gained: Approach. He thrived particularly with his short irons (150 yards and in), where he ranked 10th in the league.

Weaknesses: Schwartzel ranked a dismal 42nd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, losing .31 strokes to the field per round on average. He averaged 305.4 yards on his drives, which ranked in the bottom third of the league.

Schwartzel’s long game in general held him back in 2025. He ranked 33rd in Strokes Gained: Approach on shots 225+ yards.

CAREER RESULTS 

LIV GOLF REGULAR SEASON 

Year      Team            Starts    Rounds    1st  2nd  3rd    Total Top 10    Total Top 24

2022     Stinger GC   7            21               1     0       0        3                       4

2023     Stinger GC  13           38              0    0       0        1                        5

2024     Stinger GC  13           39              0     1        1        2                       5

2025     Stinger GC  13           39              1      1       0        3                       7

TOTAL                         46          137             2     2       1        9                       21

TOTAL TROPHIES WON (4)

Individual Regular Season wins: 1
Team Regular Season wins: 3
Individual Championship: 0
Team Championship: 0 

LIV GOLF CAREER SCORING

Stroke Average Total: 70.06
Round 1 Average: 70.02
Round 2 Average: 69.89
Round 3 Average: 70.26

Lowest Round: 63

BOTTOM LINE 

Schwartzel is an integral part of Stinger GC and brings value to the franchise both on and off the golf course. The 41-year-old brings a steady presence to the team and should continue to be one of the league’s best putters.