South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen has announced he will leave LIV Golf and return to the DP World Tour in 2027. Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open champion, made the decision amid uncertainty surrounding the future of LIV Golf, which is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings in the United States following the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

LIV Golf, a breakaway circuit established with significant investment from the Public Investment Fund, has faced challenges since the withdrawal of its primary financial support at the end of the season. Despite these setbacks, the series has reportedly secured about $300 million (£227 million) in funding from BC Partners Credit, aiming to relaunch a restructured version, referred to as LIV 2.0, in 2027.

Oosthuizen cited concerns over the management of the LIV 2.0 schedule as a primary reason for his departure. At 44, he expressed a desire to maintain a competitive edge through a more controlled playing schedule, which he believes the DP World Tour will better provide. Oosthuizen, who has been sidelined with injury for two months, is set to make his return to competitive golf at the Hong Kong Open.

The decision of a prominent player like Oosthuizen to leave LIV Golf adds to the uncertainty surrounding the breakaway series’ direction and viability. While LIV Golf’s backers aim to revive interest and operations with fresh capital, several leading golfers are reassessing their affiliations amidst the evolving landscape of professional golf. Oosthuizen’s move underscores the broader questions about LIV Golf’s ability to sustain its initial momentum in the face of financial and organizational challenges.