McDowell becomes latest major champion to exit LIV

Published26 October 2026

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell has become the latest major champion to confirm his departure from LIV Golf.

The 2010 US Open winner, 47, announced on Monday he has "decided not to pursue" LIV 2.0, the new version of the breakaway tour which is due to start in 2027.

Major winners Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen have also confirmed their departures, while McDowell's fellow countryman Tom McKibbin said he was exiting LIV to return to the DP World Tour last week.

England's Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter have also left the competition.

Saudi's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing from LIV in April - having pumped in more than $5bn (£3.8bn) - leading to the league filing for bankruptcy protection in the United States last month.

It has secured a possible $300m (£224m) in financing from BC Partners Credit to try to move forward with 'LIV 2.0', but only a handful of players have so far committed.

Former world number four McDowell joined LIV when it launched as a lucrative Saudi Arabia-backed project in 2022.

The 11-time DP World Tour winner's best finish on LIV was a tie for second in Virginia in June 2025.

"I've decided not to pursue LIV 2.0," said four-time Ryder Cup player McDowell.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had over the last four years and want to thank everyone who has been part of that journey.

"I look forward to the next chapter in my career."

Earlier this year, McDowell told BBC Sport NI he had held "really positive" talks about returning to the DP World Tour next season, adding he was "lucky to have that option".

Poulter & Hatton leave LIV as exodus continues

• Published3 days ago

Poulter & Hatton leave LIV as exodus continues

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Rahm sacrifices £75m to secure exit from LIV Golf

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Rahm sacrifices £75m to secure exit from LIV Golf

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Former Open champion Oosthuizen quits LIV Golf

• Published5 days ago

Former Open champion Oosthuizen quits LIV Golf

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LIV pushes on by appointing new senior adviser

Meanwhile, LIV has announced the appointment of former Taylor Made and Adidas executive Mark King as senior adviser.

King said: "Having spent much of my career in golf, I believe there is a tremendous opportunity for LIV Golf to establish itself as a competitive and enduring force in the game."

In the same announcement, the league said it "remains laser focused on advancing its conversations with players regarding their participation" in LIV 2.0.

A deadline for player sign-ups had been set for Sunday, although BBC Sport understands there is a degree of flexibility to enable ongoing discussions with players.

The lawyer representing LIV told a bankruptcy court hearing earlier this month it needed to sign a "sufficient number of players to have a bona fide golf league", and would know by the end of October whether it could proceed with LIV 2.0 or move to winding down the breakaway league.

League sources told BBC Sport that LIV 2.0 is generating "inbound interest from established, elite professionals and emerging talent across global professional golf".

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