McDowell becomes latest major champion to exit LIV
Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, has confirmed he will not join LIV Golf’s planned 2027 relaunch, becoming the latest major winner to leave as the league’s future remains uncertain. His departure follows the loss of Saudi funding and a wave of exits by prominent players.
McDowell, 47, joined LIV when it launched in 2022 and won 11 times on the DP World Tour; his best LIV result was joint second in Virginia in 2025. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had put more than $5bn into LIV before withdrawing support in April, and the league has since sought bankruptcy protection and secured possible financing of $300m. It must attract enough players to proceed with LIV 2.0, with a decision expected by the end of October; McDowell has discussed a possible return to the DP World Tour.
In short
- Graeme McDowell will not join LIV Golf’s planned 2027 relaunch.
- LIV lost Saudi backing after receiving more than $5bn.
- The league needs enough players to determine whether it can continue.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
LIV can argue that its investment created a new route for players to compete, brought substantial prize money and challenged golf’s established structures. A relaunch could preserve those opportunities if it secures viable funding and enough players, while McDowell’s choice to leave shows that participation remains an individual decision.
The case against
Critics can argue that LIV’s future is too uncertain for players, staff and partners to rely on, particularly after its main funder withdrew and the league sought bankruptcy protection. High-profile departures may deepen doubts about whether a relaunch can attract a sustainable field, while a return to established tours could offer players a more secure competitive path.