Graeme McDowell becomes latest major champion to exit LIV

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 18:19 · Archive

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, has confirmed he will not pursue LIV 2.0, the breakaway tour's planned relaunch in 2027.

Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open winner, confirmed on Monday that he has decided not to pursue LIV 2.0, the new iteration of the breakaway golf tour due to launch in 2027. The 47-year-old Northern Irishman joined LIV when it began in 2022 as a Saudi Arabia-backed project, and said he was 'grateful for the opportunity' he had over the last four years.

McDowell is the latest in a growing exodus from LIV Golf following the withdrawal of backing from Saudi's Public Investment Fund in April. Major winners Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen, and fellow players Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter, have also confirmed their departures. Tom McKibbin, McDowell's fellow countryman, left the tour last week to return to the DP World Tour.

LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States after losing its primary financial backer, which had invested over $5bn. The tour has secured $300m in financing from BC Partners Credit and is planning to relaunch as LIV 2.0, but only a handful of players have committed so far. McDowell told BBC Sport NI he had held 'really positive' talks about returning to the DP World Tour next season.

How it is being reported

• McDowell latest player to confirm LIV Golf exitGraeme McDowell has confirmed he will follow the lead of Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter, among others, by becoming the latest player to leave LIV Golf.Sky Sports · 26 Oct, 17:21
• McDowell becomes latest major champion to exit LIVNorthern Ireland's Graeme McDowell becomes the latest major champion to exit LIV Golf.BBC News · 26 Oct, 17:17

In this story: Graeme McDowell · Jon Rahm · Louis Oosthuizen · Tyrrell Hatton · Ian Poulter · LIV Golf · Public Investment Fund · Northern Ireland

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem