Louis Oosthuizen has become the latest golfer to leave LIV Golf, announcing he will return to the DP World Tour in 2027. The 44-year-old had been captain of the all-South African Southern Guards GC team since the breakaway circuit's inception in June 2022.
In a statement posted to his X account, Oosthuizen said moving to LIV Golf five years ago was one of the best decisions of his life, but added that he feels he has a few more years of competitive golf left. He said the biggest factor in his decision was the schedule, explaining that the only way to stay sharp is through a schedule he controls. Oosthuizen, whose 11 DP World Tour victories include the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews, said he remains a strong supporter of team golf.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sept. 8, and last week a U.S. bankruptcy court judge allowed the league to reject certain golfers' contracts, including Oosthuizen's. The league is hoping to launch LIV 2.0 in 2027 even after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund pulled its funding, which had exceeded $5 billion over five years. LIV Golf has secured a potential $300 million investment from BC Partners, which requires the league to retain a certain number of golfers and key players.
Several golfers, including Jon Rahm, have reached separation agreements or indicated they will not return. Sources told ESPN that Bryson DeChambeau remains committed to LIV Golf. DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings told BBC Sport the circuit will not grant conditional status to golfers who join LIV 2.0 in 2027. Golfers have until Nov. 16 to apply for DP World Tour membership for next season.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing