Abraham Ancer has left Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs to joins Torque GC’s all-Latin American team
Abraham Ancer has joined LIV Golf’s all-Latin American team as the winter transfer window bids to drive interest in the Saudi-backed league. The Mexican leaves Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC to replace Mito Pereira – one of six players relegated at the end of the 2025 campaign – at Torque GC.
The era of huge signing-on fees to join LIV Golf are over with Victor Perez and the returning Laurie Canter the only new signings to date. The Englishman chose to replace former Open champion Henrik Stenson at the Majesticks instead of taking up a PGA Tour card.
Two new players – Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji – secured spots through the International Series while two more will earn places at the LIV Promotions event in January.
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Sir Nick Faldo this week claimed LIV Golf stars are the “luckiest golfers in the world” because of the lack of star quality on the lucrative breakaway tour.
But LIV Golf wants the league’s free agency and transfer window to become a big part of the league like the NFL ’s Draft Day in April – and help the brand recognition of the 13 teams. The ultimate aim of LIV Golf is to sell off the teams as franchises to recoup the $5bn investment until now. And high-profile transfers between the teams will raise the profile of the league which starts the 2026 season in Riyadh in February.
“Every team has the chance to re-evaluate and build something special in the offseason, just like in other major sports,” said Phil Mickelson. “It also keeps fans invested and engaged in what we are doing and there’s terrific excitement heading into next year.”
Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC, Garcia’s Fireballs and the Iron Heads GC: Kevin Na all have vacancies on their teams.
The top 24 in the 2025 standings secured spots for next year. Players finishing Nos. 25-48 are in the Open Zone, which means these players can stay in the league, but their current team doesn’t have to re-sign them if they have an expiring contract.
The bottom six – Stenson, Pereira, Andy Ogletree, Yubin Yang, Anthony Kim and Frederik Kjettrup – were relegated. Former Ryder Cup star Kim has been a wildcard in the last two seasons.
Pereira, who had the lead on the 72nd tee of the 2022 US PGA before taking a double bogey, finished 51st out of the 54 LIV players last season.
But Ancer has finished in the top 12 for the last two seasons and won LIV Golf Hong Kong in 2024. “Joining Torque GC is an exciting next step, both personally and professionally,” said the former world No.11. “
“Competing as part of an all-Latin team alongside close friends, whom I admire on and off the golf course adds a layer of connection and purpose that I can’t wait to be a part of.”
Torque GC’s Chilean captain Joaquín Niemann said: “Abraham is a proven winner and a fierce competitor, and we’re proud to welcome him to Torque GC. As a fully Latin American team, we play with shared pride, duty, and purpose, and Abraham embodies that. His addition makes us stronger and deepens the bond that drives everything we do.”
But Faldo named Niemann, who finished second behind Jon Rahm in the individual rankings last season, as personifying the problems with LIV Golf.
“Joaquin Niemann won $20 million, and how good were his major performances throughout the year?” the six-time Major winner told the NCG Golf Podcast . “He just missed the cut in Australia. He’s their star player, it’s bonkers. They are so fortunate. If you want a boat load of cash, if that’s what your priority is, boys, they have given you this opportunity.”
