Graeme McDowell Departs LIV Golf Amid Tour's Financial Restructuring

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, has announced his decision not to continue with LIV Golf's revised plans, known as 'LIV 2.0'. The 47-year-old Northern Irish golfer confirmed Monday that he has "decided not to pursue" the new iteration of the breakaway tour, which is slated to begin in 2027.

MCDowell's departure follows similar exits from other major champions, including Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen. His countryman Tom McKibbin also recently announced his move back to the DP World Tour, while England's Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter have also left the LIV circuit.

These departures come as LIV Golf navigates significant financial changes. In April, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its substantial backing, having invested over $5 billion into the league. Subsequently, LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last month. The league is currently seeking to secure new funding, having entered into discussions for a potential $300 million financing deal with BC Partners Credit to support 'LIV 2.0'. However, commitments from players for the new structure have been limited so far.

McDowell, a four-time Ryder Cup participant and 11-time DP World Tour winner, initially joined LIV Golf upon its launch in 2022 as a lucrative venture backed by Saudi Arabia. His best performance on the LIV tour was a tie for second place in Virginia in June 2025. He expressed gratitude for his time with the tour, stating, "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." McDowell added, "I look forward to the next chapter in my career."

Earlier this year, McDowell had indicated his openness to returning to the DP World Tour, telling BBC Sport NI that he had held "really positive" discussions about rejoining the tour for the upcoming season and considered himself "lucky to have that option."