McDowell becomes latest major champion to exit LIV

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McDowell joined LIV when the breakaway tour launched in 2022

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

The 2010 US Open winner, McDowell, 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”.

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