Westwood remains unsigned for LIV 2.0 as Rahm explains departure

Lee Westwood has not signed an agreement to play in the proposed LIV 2.0 competition and has not held talks about returning to the DP World Tour, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. The former world number one outlined his uncertain position as Jon Rahm publicly explained his decision to leave LIV following a separation agreement in October.

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Westwood, 53, discussed his future on The Chipping Forecast podcast. He said the terms presented for LIV's proposed next version were not acceptable to him and that details still needed resolving. The Englishman joined the breakaway circuit when it launched in 2022. He said his earnings during that period meant he did not need to continue competing, although he still enjoyed playing.

The comments come with LIV's future unresolved. According to BBC Sport, the league filed for bankruptcy protection last month after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing. The report said possible financing of $300 million from BC Partners Credit could support an attempted relaunch, but only a small number of players had committed to the proposed 2027 competition.

Rahm addressed his departure at the Abu Dhabi Championship, his first event since leaving LIV. The Spaniard said he had supported the original project but did not agree with the direction of its planned successor. He described too many unanswered questions and a shift away from team golf towards a more conventional tournament structure. His remarks were his first public explanation since the October agreement, BBC Sport reported.

The two-time major champion is among several prominent players to have left LIV in recent weeks. BBC Sport also named Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell among the departures. Westwood, however, said he still believed a viable business could emerge from a restructured competition, while questioning whether it would be able to attract the players it needed.

A return to the DP World Tour would not offer Westwood an immediate route back to competition. The report said he would have to serve a 10-tournament suspension imposed after he resigned his membership. Westwood suggested a return in Turkey in May might be possible if he rejoined in November, but stressed that he was unsure of the details and had not discussed the situation with the tour.