Louis Oosthuizen Departs LIV Golf, Citing Schedule Concerns
The former major champion's exit marks another setback for the Saudi-backed golf circuit as it faces an uncertain future.
Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open Championship winner, announced on Wednesday that he is leaving LIV Golf and intends to rejoin the DP World Tour in 2027. The South African golfer stated on social media that his decision was influenced by a desire to control his future schedule, expressing concerns about the demands of LIV Golf's "2.0" iteration.
"I realised I have a lot more in me, and my biggest fear was that the schedule on LIV 2.0 would be tough to manage," Oosthuizen said on Instagram. "I feel I have a few more years of good, competitive golf left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is through a schedule I control."
Oosthuizen's departure comes shortly before the October 25 deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0. As of now, only Cameron Tringale, Richard Bland, Ben Campbell, Victor Perez, and Brendan Steele have committed to the circuit. Oosthuizen, who joined LIV Golf at its inception in 2022 and served as captain of an all-South African team, described his initial move to LIV as "one of the best decisions" of his life.
The move is considered a significant blow to LIV Golf, which has faced ongoing challenges. The circuit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after the Saudi Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial support at the end of the 2026 season. A potential revival for 2027 is contingent on a financial commitment from BC Partners, which reportedly aims to invest $300 million.
In a federal bankruptcy court hearing on October 14, a lawyer representing LIV Golf indicated that the circuit would know by the end of the month whether it would continue operations into 2027 or cease. Compounding the uncertainty, the DP World Tour recently announced that it will not offer conditional status to LIV players for the 2027 season, requiring players to commit to one tour or the other.
Oosthuizen's decision to leave LIV, foregoing potential guaranteed paydays and an equity stake in the proposed LIV 2.0 model, has been described as a noteworthy move, particularly given his age and tenure with the league. The context of LIV's financial struggles and the DP World Tour's stance on player eligibility suggest that Oosthuizen's decision may reflect his perception of LIV's long-term viability.