GOOCH TRADED TO SMASH, HV3 TRADED TO 4ACES, WOLFF AND UIHLEIN TRADED TO RANGEGOATS

News
Written by
LIV Golf Staff
Dec 07 2023
- 5 min
Trades 1920

Free Agency Moves Reshape Rosters as League Ushers in New Era for Professional Golf

LONDON and WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – 4Aces GC, RangeGoats GC and Smash GC have announced multiple trades, with the captaining trio of Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Brooks Koepka establishing their respective teams as active movers within LIV Golf’s free agency and transfer window.

See below for trade details and statements released by the teams.

4ACES GC

4Aces GC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Harold Varner III via trade with RangeGoats GC in exchange for Peter Uihlein. The 4Aces now have three of the top seven finishers in the 2023 LIV Golf Individual standings with Varner (7th) joining Captain Dustin Johnson (5th), Patrick Reed (6th) and Pat Perez (28th).

The 2023 league leader in eagles made (14), Varner notched five top-10 finishes last season, including an individual victory at LIV Golf DC. The North Carolinian aims to help the 4Aces reclaim their Team Championship crown from a season ago after helping lead the RangeGoats to a team victory at LIV Golf Singapore and a runner-up finish at the 2023 Team Championship.

Statement from Captain Dustin Johnson:

“Peter has been an integral part of the team by showing exceptional skill and sportsmanship. His contribution to the 4Aces has been invaluable, and we are grateful for his dedication and the memorable moments he has provided us and our fans. We have no doubt that he will continue to display the same level of excellence with the RangeGoats and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.

“We are equally excited to welcome Harold Varner III to our team. Harold is renowned for his dynamic play, consistent performances, and remarkable achievements in the golfing world. We believe his spirit, expertise, and dedication to the game align perfectly with the values and goals of 4Aces GC. His addition to our team is a significant step towards our commitment to excellence and our pursuit of being the top golf team in the world.”

RANGEGOATS GC

RangeGoats GC is excited to announce the acquisition of two new players, Peter Uihlein and Matthew Wolff. Captain Bubba Watson brings on Wolff from Smash GC in exchange for Talor Gooch and has traded Harold Varner III to 4Aces GC in exchange for Uihlein. The trades reset each team’s roster for the 2024 LIV Golf League season.

One of the most consistent players since the league’s inception, Uihlein finished third overall in the LIV Golf Invitational Series standings in 2022. The American followed it up this year by leading the league in driving distance (322-yard average), ranking second in putts per round, and finishing 12th overall in the season-long Individual standings.

Recognized as one of golf’s next-gen talents, the 24-year-old Wolff won his first PGA Tour event in just his fourth start as a professional in 2019. In his first year with LIV Golf, Wolff finished sixth overall in the LIV Golf Invitational Series standings, then followed by finishing just outside of the Lock Zone (27th) this year, including three top-10 finishes. Wolff and Uihlein join forces with Thomas Pieters and Watson on a RangeGoats squad that was runner-up in the 2023 LIV Golf Team Championship.

Statement from Captain Bubba Watson:

"We’re excited to have Matthew Wolff and Peter Uihlein join RangeGoats GC. They are both very talented players and good people that I have gotten to know better since joining LIV. They are also close friends. When we realized it was possible to get both Matt and Peter via separate transactions, we felt it could be a good long-term move for the RangeGoats, both on and off the course. The only bad thing is, I might be the shortest hitter on the team."

Statement from RangeGoats GC:

“We would like to thank Talor Gooch and Harold Varner III for their contributions to the RangeGoats over the past year. As founding members of the RangeGoats, they will always be a part of our family. Combined, they won four individual titles and led the team to a runner-up finish in the 2023 Team Championship. We wish them the best of luck with their new teams and look forward to competing against them next season.”

Stay tuned to @RangeGoatsGC on social media and www.rangegoatsgc.com for more updates and news from our team.

SMASH GC

Smash GC is proud to announce its acquisition of Talor Gooch, the 2023 LIV Golf League Individual Champion, in a trade with RangeGoats GC for Matthew Wolff. Gooch now teams up with Captain Brooks Koepka, recently signed free agent Graeme McDowell and veteran Jason Kokrak to round out the new-look Smash GC roster.

With Koepka and Gooch, Smash now has two of the top three performers from 2023. This past season, Gooch became the league’s first three-time individual winner, securing victories in Adelaide, Singapore and Andalucía. In October, the duo faced off in a playoff to determine the winner of LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN, with Koepka defeating Gooch to secure the tournament win and third-place finish in the season-long standings. As the tournament runner-up, Gooch locked up the season’s Individual title.

Statement from Captain Brooks Koepka:

“This couldn't be a stronger offseason move for us. Bringing Talor in, Smash GC goes from a contender to a juggernaut in 2024. He's the ultimate competitor, a three-time LIV Golf tournament winner and crowned the Individual Champion. We had our own battles on the course last season; I'd be lying if I didn't say how excited I am to see him on the podium for our squad now.

“He's not only an incredible player on course, but we're proud to support Talor's dedication to give back through his foundation and positively impacting the next generation. Talor is exactly the type of player that I see being the foundation for the Smash GC franchise. We're ready to get to work.”

Follow @SmashGC on social media and www.smashgc.com for more team updates and news.