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Lee Westwood says he has not signed for LIV 2.0 or held discussions with the DP World Tour about returning, leaving the European golf star unemployed as he weighs his future. The 53-year-old Englishman was among the high-profile competitors who joined the Saudi-backed breakaway tour when it launched in 2022.
LIV Golf Uncertainty and Westwood’s Future
The future of LIV Golf remains uncertain after its backer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), withdrew support following an investment of more than $5 billion (£3.8 billion), leading the organization to file for bankruptcy protection last month. The league has secured approximately $300 million (£224 million) in potential financing from BC Partners Credit to pursue LIV 2.0, though only a small number of players have committed to the proposed 2027 competition.
Speaking on The Chipping Forecast podcast, as reported by BBC Sport, Westwood stated that he is currently unemployed. He noted that nothing agreeable has been presented regarding LIV 2.0, emphasizing that many details require fine-tuning and he has not signed anything for the new venture. Although Westwood faced criticism for chasing the financial rewards offered by LIV—a decision that cost him a 2023 European Ryder Cup captaincy—he stated that he would have been foolish not to secure his financial future.
Westwood reported earning a fortune over the past four and a half years, with prize money estimated at £16 million on the LIV tour. While he believes he does not need to play golf again, his enduring love for the sport gives him options for the coming years. He also expressed belief that a successful business model exists for LIV 2.0 if waste can be eliminated, though he noted that time will tell if they can attract enough players.
Jon Rahm’s Departure From LIV
Fellow European Ryder Cup player Jon Rahm explained that he chose to leave LIV because he was unwilling to follow the path the league took while fighting for survival. Speaking publicly for the first time since securing an exit in October through a separation agreement, the 31-year-old Spaniard addressed the media at the Abu Dhabi Championship, marking his first event since departing.
Rahm, who was the reigning Masters champion when he joined LIV in a deal reportedly worth $300 million (£222 million), left last month with $100 million (£75 million) still owed on his contract, according to ESPN. He stated that while he liked the project and concept of LIV 1.0, he was not thrilled by the changes introduced for LIV 2.0 and disliked the direction the organization was taking. He pointed out too many unknowns and a shift away from team golf toward a standard tournament format.
Rahm joined several major names leaving LIV in recent weeks, including Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton, and Graeme McDowell.
Potential Return to the DP World Tour
If Westwood chooses not to continue with LIV, the former world number one could explore a return to the DP World Tour. As a prominent figure in European golf with 25 tour victories and 11 Ryder Cup appearances, a comeback would require serving a 10-tournament suspension issued as a penalty for resigning his membership upon joining LIV.
Westwood stated that he has not yet had any dialogue with the European Tour or seen everything laid out in front of him. He calculated that signing up on November 12 would require serving the 10-tournament suspension through the South African Open, making Turkey in May the earliest event he could play, though he remains uncertain about those plans.
