Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

Captain Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC poses for a photo with the Individual Champion Trophy after the final round of LIV Golf Hong Kong. (LIV Golf/Montana Pritchard)
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Updated 19 December 2025
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Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

  • Garcia is set to headline LIV Golf’s first all-Spanish lineup, with young stars Puig and Ballester coming off major international victories

SPAIN: Fireballs GC of the LIV Golf league have solidified their roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by the return of team captain Sergio Garcia, who has signed a multi-year extension. The Spanish legend will lead a team that includes fellow countrymen and young stars David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu in the league’s first all-Spanish lineup.

“Returning to Fireballs GC and LIV Golf reinforces everything we are building,” Garcia said. “With David and Josele playing well in 2025 and Luis joining the team for 2026, our identity and competitive edge are stronger than ever, rooted in pride, purpose, and our collective emotional connection to the game of golf. LIV Golf continues to set the pace globally, and I’m committed to leading this group as we push forward and keep raising the standard.”

Garcia delivered another elite season as captain in 2025, ranking ninth in the individual standings, his third top-10 finish in four LIV Golf seasons. He won his third start of the season in Hong Kong, becoming one of only three players to capture LIV Golf victories in each of the last two seasons, and continued to serve as the heartbeat and stabilizing force of a young, rising roster.

The Fireballs’ roster confirmation follows a highly successful 2025 season in which the team finished third in the regular-season standings — their highest placement since 2022 — while recording three consecutive team victories in Adelaide, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team finished inside the points in 11 of 13 events, underscoring its consistency across LIV Golf’s global schedule.

Puig returns to build on his success since turning pro to join LIV Golf in 2022, with worldwide wins in each of the last three years, including last month’s Australian PGA Championship. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid ascent in LIV Golf, producing his first top-24 finish in 2025 while earning points in each of his 12 regular-season starts, joining LIV star Jon Rahm as the only two players to accomplish that feat. The 24-year-old also notched four top-10 results on his way to proving his status as one of LIV’s most promising young talents.

Ballester emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing young talents after joining Fireballs GC midseason in 2025. The 22-year-old and former U.S. Amateur champion posted his first podium finish after making the playoff at LIV Golf Chicago and, most recently, he secured his first professional victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.

Masaveu returns to Fireballs GC after making eight starts in the 2025 season and contributing to the team’s three consecutive wins. A former standout amateur who has continued to establish himself at the professional level, the 23-year-old Masaveu brings high-level competitive experience and familiarity with LIV Golf’s team environment. His return adds depth and continuity to a roster anchored by proven leadership and rising young talent, further strengthening Fireballs GC as it builds toward long-term excellence in 2026.

“This year marked real growth for me, and a lot of that comes from learning every day alongside Sergio,” Puig said. “His experience, his standards, and the way he leads have helped me mature quickly. Being a part of the Fireballs has really accelerated my development, and I’m excited to build on the growth I’ve already seen.”

Fireballs GC enter the 2026 season as the only team to post at least one tournament victory in each of LIV Golf’s four seasons. They will start the season as one of the youngest teams, with a roster designed to contend for both team championships and individual honors. 


Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab

Updated 28 December 2025
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Rajkovic excels as Al-Ittihad cruise to victory against Al-Shabab

  • Al-Ittihad secure fifth Saudi Pro League win of the season with a 2-0 victory

JEDDAH: It has not been the start to the season that Al-Ittihad fans had anticipated. Nevertheless, on their return to Saudi Pro League action after a 36-day hiatus, the defending champions delivered a performance that offered renewed confidence ahead of a demanding run of seven matches in the space of 30 days.

The opening exchanges proved far from straightforward for The Tigers.

Attempting to play out from the back, they were punished within the first two minutes as Abdullah Matuq pounced on a mistake to find himself one-on-one with Predrag Rajkovic, only for the Serbian goalkeeper to produce the first of several crucial saves. Just 60 seconds later, Rajkovic was called into action again, this time denying a header from a corner.

Momentum soon shifted. Roger Fernandes began to cause problems down the left wing, his quick footwork getting the better of Al-Shabab’s defence before he delivered a low cross into the box. Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, aided by Karim Benzema’s intelligent screening of Saad Balobaid, met it to open the scoring in the 16th minute.

Al-Ittihad came close to doubling their advantage in the 28th minute. Mohannad Al-Shangeeti struck the far post with a powerful effort, before his follow-up attempt narrowly missed the target, drifting wide of Marcelo Grohe’s goal.

Grohe was later called upon to keep Al-Shabab in the contest, producing a fine save in the 58th minute to deny Benzema after the Frenchman was released by a perfectly weighted pass from Steven Bergwijn.

Al-Ittihad continued to dominate possession, though Imanol Alguacil’s side managed to limit Fernandes’ influence by committing extra defensive cover on the left flank.

That adjustment failed to account for Al-Shangeeti’s runs from deep, as he surged down the right to find Bergwijn, who finished first time to seal the contest for the hosts in the 85th minute.

Late substitute Abdulaziz Al-Bishi thought he had added a third in the closing stages, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The win lifts Al-Ittihad into sixth place on 17 points, while Al-Shabab remain just two points above the relegation zone, extending their winless run to eight matches since their Matchday 2 victory over Al-Hazem.