LIV Golf's 'Special Reserve' opens up on troubled circuit's 'holding pattern'
In-form American John Catlin chasing DP World Tour card after eye-catching start in Mallorca
John Catlin is happy to be remembered as LIV Golf’s ‘Special Reserve’ as he bids to regain a DP World Tour card before chasing his ultimate dream of playing on the PGA Tour.
The American was once described by Golf Digest as ‘LIV Golf’s most interesting player’ due to his standby status for the breakaway circuit, having stepped in six times as an injury replacement.
One of his appearances at LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club in 2025 was as a substitute for Charles Howell III for Crushers GC, which is captained by Catlin’s childhood friend, Bryson DeChambeau.
Over the past few weeks, a host of big names, including Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Ian Poulter, have all left LIV Golf as the circuit bids to launch a 2.0 model.
Does that mean that there is a chance Catlin, winner of the Link Hong Kong Open last weekend, could be offered a permanent spot next year?
“Nobody knows,” he replied to being asked about his LIV Golf position by The Scotsman after carding a six-under-par 66 to sit one shot off the lead following the first round of the Hotel Planner Tour’s Grand Final at Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca on Thursday. “Yeah, there are a lot of things that are up in the air and not really in our control. So I don’t know.
“I’m just trying to take it week by week and do the best I can. I know what the DP World Tour is, I know what it’s about and it is something I can definitely get behind.
“I think it’s a great tour and it gives players a great pathway to the PGA Tour and that’s definitely been a goal of mine since I was a little kid. I’m pretty clear on that. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m trying to play as well as I can and earn that card back.”
Catlin was asked if he’d been receiving the same information as other LIV Golf players since the circuit lost its funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, though a $300 million investment deal with BC Partners is in the pipeline.
“You know, I don’t know what they are all giving out to the players, so I don’t really know if I am or I’m not,” he added. “There’s been some information shared, but I don’t know if that’s what everybody is getting or that’s what I’m getting. It just seems like they are in a bit of a holding pattern. I’m just focusing on what I can do and the opportunities that are in front of me.”
Catlin is a three-time DP World Tour winner, having landed both the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama and Irish Open at Galgorm Castle in 2020 before adding the Austrian Open the following year.
The 35-year-old Californian then lost his card at the end of the 2023 campaign, but more of the same in Mallorca over the next three days and he could be back sitting at the top table next season.
“Yeah, it would be great,” he admitted of that opportunity. “I loved my six or seven years out there. It is a great tour with great events. I’ve obviously had some success on the DP World Tour and I’d liked some more success. In order to have that opportunity, I’ve got to earn my spot back.”
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