As we close to the LIV Golf deadline for player commitments in 2027another major champion has announced that he will leave the league.
In a message published on his social channels, Graeme McDowell said he will not “pursue LIV 2.0,” the moniker for the new LIV that CEO Scott O’Neil is working hard to create.
McDowell isn’t the biggest name or best player to come out of LIV this year, but his status as a major champion made him a great signing in 2022 and an equally great loss for the future.
Graeme McDowell leaves LIV: “I have decided not to pursue LIV 2.0”.
McDowell, 47, was a major signing for LIV Golf at its inception. He was a four-time PGA Tour winner, the 2010 US Open champion and had been a key part of Europe’s Ryder Cup teams.
His personal career achievements added legitimacy to the league when it was just starting.
But McDowell’s LIV Golf career has now come to an end.
“I have decided not to pursue LIV 2.0. I am grateful for the opportunity I have had in the last four years and I want to thank everyone who has been part of that journey”, McDowell he wrote in a social post on Monday.
He closed his short message by writing: “I look forward to the next chapter in my career.”
McDowell said earlier BBC that he plans to play some DP World Tour events in 2027 no matter what happens with LIV Golf.
“Regardless of whether LIV Golf can find a solution to continue playing as a European Tour player in some way, shape or form next season, assuming the Tour still wants me and we can figure that relationship out,” McDowell. he said BBC in July.
But at the beginning of October, the DP World Tour has announced that players who have signed up for LIV 2.0 will be banned from their events. That forced McDowell and several other players who plan to play both tours in 2027 to decide between the two.
McDowell joins a growing list of LIV departures
McDowell is not the first LIV player to choose the DP World Tour over LIV 2.0 in recent weeks. Former European Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter announced last week that he was leaving LIV Golf.
Poulter’s decision came days later 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen revealed he would not be playing at LIV in 2027.
Even before the DP World Tour LIV ban was announced, the two-time major winner and back-to-back-to-back LIV individual champion. Jon Rahm made it known that he was also leaving the upstart league.
Major winners Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed left before the 2026 LIV season.
Sergio Garciaanother major champion and former European Ryder Cup stalwart, has ended his LIV contract in court and could also pursue a return to the DP World Tour.
Another group of LIV players led by two-time major champion Dustin Johnson He is said to be negotiating with the PIF for $100 million in “severance payments” in relation to the first iteration of LIV.
