Louis Oosthuizen has announced his departure from LIV Golf and plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2027, dealing another blow to the breakaway circuit as it attempts to secure its future beyond this season.
The 2010 Open champion, who joined LIV ahead of its inaugural event in June 2022, said the proposed schedule for the league’s next phase would involve too much international travel. The South African wants greater control over his calendar as he looks to prolong his career.
“I need to arrange my own schedule and look after my body,” Oosthuizen told the South China Morning Post ahead of this week’s Hong Kong Open. “I want to play near one spot for three weeks at a time, not have all the big travelling for one tournament.
“I loved LIV and the team aspect, but it’s time to move on.”
The 44-year-old captained Southern Guards GC, an all-South African team featuring Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester. He stressed that his departure did not diminish his enthusiasm for team golf, describing Southern Guards as a team he would always value.
Oosthuizen has won 11 times on the DP World Tour and finished runner-up in each of the other three men’s majors. He believes he has several competitive years remaining but wants a more manageable schedule to maintain his level of performance.
His decision comes as LIV approaches a 25 October deadline for players to commit to its proposed 2027 model. Jon Rahm has reached a separation agreement with the league, while Thomas Pieters, Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Adrian Meronk are also among those departing or planning to leave.
The league’s financial position remains precarious after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September and is attempting to restructure its finances ahead of a planned relaunch as LIV Golf 2.0.
BC Partners Credit has proposed financing of up to $300m, conditional on requirements including sufficient player commitments.
Losing an original recruit and major champion underlines the challenge facing LIV as it tries to retain a competitive field for its next phase.
