They Took the LIV Money. Now They're Grinding Through Q-School to Win Their Tour Cards Back.

LIV Golf's bankruptcy filing in September and the DP World Tour's October ruling shut every exemption door for 2027. Thirteen LIV-linked players were left with one route back: the 252-hole Q-School marathon. On Wednesday at INFINITUM, 2024 U.S. Amateur champion Josele Ballester charged to the top of the leaderboard — 18 holes from winning his card the hardest way there is.

AmateurGolf.com Staff· November 11, 2026· 5 min read

INFINITUM in Tarragona, Spain — home of DP World Tour Q-School Final Stage, where 15 cards for 2027 are decided over six rounds.

There is no VIP entrance back into the DP World Tour. There is a 252-hole qualifying school, three stages, and a cut that does not care what league you used to play in.

On Wednesday at INFINITUM in Tarragona, Spain, the live leaderboard at Final Stage told the story of the week: Jose Luis Ballester — the 2024 U.S. Amateur champion who turned pro to join LIV Golf — had charged to 31 under par and the outright lead in the final round, two shots clear of Australia's Cameron John. Overnight he had been tied for third at 26 under, one back. By Wednesday afternoon he was 18 holes of composure from completing the most improbable route back in the game.

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