Graeme McDowell Becomes Latest Major Winner to Leave LIV
The 2010 US Open champion says he will not pursue LIV 2.0, the relaunched tour due in 2027. Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen have also left.
Graeme McDowell has left LIV Golf. The 47-year-old from Northern Ireland, who won the 2010 US Open, said on Monday he has "decided not to pursue" LIV 2.0, the new version of the breakaway tour due to start in 2027.
"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," said the four-time Ryder Cup player. "I look forward to the next chapter in my career."
McDowell joined when the Saudi-backed tour launched in 2022. His best finish there was a tie for second in Virginia in June 2025. Earlier this year he told BBC Sport NI that he had held "really positive" talks about returning to the DP World Tour next season.
A growing exodus
Major winners Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen have also confirmed their departures. McDowell's fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin said last week he was leaving to return to the DP World Tour, and England's Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter have gone too.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing in April after putting in more than $5bn. LIV filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last month. It has secured a possible $300m in financing from BC Partners Credit to try to go ahead with LIV 2.0, but only a handful of players have so far committed.
The league's position
LIV announced the appointment of former Taylor Made and Adidas executive Mark King as senior adviser. "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," King said.
The league said it remains "laser focused" on advancing talks with players. A sign-up deadline had been set for Sunday, though BBC Sport understands there is some flexibility. LIV's lawyer told a bankruptcy court earlier this month that it needs a "sufficient number of players to have a bona fide golf league," and that it would know by the end of October whether to proceed with LIV 2.0 or wind the league down.
Source: BBC Sport