Graeme 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. The 2010 US Open Champion revealed the news in a social media post on Monday, though the 47-year-old did not elaborate on his future plans.
Departure Announcement and League Restructuring
The Northern Irishman announced on X that he had decided against pursuing LIV 2.0. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity over the previous four years, thanked everyone involved in the journey, and stated he looked forward to the next chapter of his career.
LIV Golf has been plotting its future following an announcement in April by its former backers, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), that funding for the breakaway league would end after the 2026 season. After searching for new investment, the league secured financing from BC Partners Credit. It subsequently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced plans to relaunch in 2027 under a new format known as LIV 2.0.
The transition prompted several players to reconsider their futures on the tour. Two-time major winner Rahm reached a separation agreement in October to leave because of unacceptable terms proposed for LIV 2.0. Sergio Garcia also terminated his contract, while Hatton stated on social media that he would not be part of the new venture.
Deadline and Career Background
BC Partners established an October 25 deadline for players to commit to the league moving forward, with a small group of players ultimately choosing to re-sign.
McDowell originally joined the breakaway circuit in 2022 as part of the team OKGC. Outside of the major championships, his most recent appearance at a DP World Tour event took place at the 2022 BMW PGA Championship.
