Graeme McDowell confirms LIV exit as he considers DP World Tour return

Graeme McDowell has confirmed he is leaving LIV Golf and will not take part in its proposed next phase in 2027, BBC Sport reported on Monday. The 47-year-old Northern Irishman, who won the US Open in 2010, said he had chosen not to pursue LIV 2.0, thanked those involved in his four years with the circuit and looked ahead to continuing his career.

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McDowell joined LIV at its launch in 2022. His strongest result on the circuit was a share of second place in Virginia in June 2025. A former world number four, he has won 11 times on the DP World Tour and made four Ryder Cup appearances. His announcement settles his position on LIV’s proposed relaunch, but does not itself confirm a new playing schedule.

A return to the DP World Tour had already been discussed. In a July interview with BBC Sport NI, McDowell said conversations with the tour had been positive and that the two sides planned to meet again in November to work on arrangements for 2027. He described having a potential route back as fortunate, while making clear that the relationship and practical details still needed to be worked out.

In that earlier interview, McDowell said he had paid his outstanding DP World Tour fines at the end of 2023. He also explained that an opportunity to return earlier in 2026 had not suited either side because he could not commit to the parts of the schedule where the tour wanted his participation. Despite that obstacle, he said communication had continued.

His departure follows several other prominent exits. BBC Sport reported on Friday that Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton had confirmed they would not participate in LIV 2.0. Major champions Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen have also left. Fellow Northern Irish golfer Tom McKibbin has announced plans to return to a full DP World Tour schedule in 2027.

The decisions come during a financial restructuring for LIV. According to the BBC, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing in April, and the league filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States in September. Potential financing of $300 million from BC Partners Credit is intended to support LIV 2.0, but only a small number of players have committed so far.