LIV Golf is facing a growing player exodus as several of its biggest names reject the proposed 2027 relaunch. With Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter among those departing, attention has shifted to Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and other stars whose futures remain uncertain.
LIV Golf’s attempt to rebuild for 2027 has encountered another major challenge as an increasing number of established players confirm they will leave the breakaway circuit.
With an October 25 commitment deadline approaching, the league faces important decisions about its future following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the withdrawal of financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Former world No. 1 Jon Rahm is among the most significant departures, while Ryder Cup stars Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter confirmed on Friday, October 23, that they will not participate in LIV Golf’s proposed new format.
Tom McKibbin, Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace and Lucas Herbert have also announced plans to move on.
Meanwhile, the future of two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the potential relaunch.
Which Players Have Confirmed They Are Leaving LIV Golf?
The list of players departing LIV Golf has expanded considerably throughout 2026.
Some left before the current restructuring process, while others have rejected the proposed 2027 competition.
Notable Players Leaving LIV Golf
| Player | Departure status |
|---|---|
| Brooks Koepka | Left in December 2025 |
| Patrick Reed | Left in January 2026 |
| Jon Rahm | Rejected LIV Golf 2.0 |
| David Puig | Confirmed plans to leave |
| Abraham Ancer | Declined to renew |
| Louis Oosthuizen | Confirmed departure |
| Ian Poulter | Rejected LIV Golf 2.0 |
| Tyrrell Hatton | Rejected LIV Golf 2.0 |
| Lucas Herbert | Confirmed departure |
| Branden Grace | Confirmed departure |
| Tom McKibbin | Returning to DP World Tour full-time |
Status as of October 24, 2026. Contract settlements and public announcements may occur at different times.
Other players, including Charles Howell III and Thomas Pieters, have also been reported as planning to leave the league.
Adrian Meronk has been linked with a departure, although reporting has differed over the status of a formal announcement.
Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia has obtained the termination of his existing LIV Golf contract. However, ending an agreement with the original league does not necessarily prevent a player from signing a new deal for LIV Golf 2.0.
These distinctions matter because not every player with an expired or terminated agreement has publicly ruled out returning.
Jon Rahm’s Departure Creates Major Challenge for LIV Golf
Jon Rahm’s decision to reject LIV Golf 2.0 represents one of the most significant developments in the league’s restructuring efforts.
The two-time major champion joined LIV Golf in December 2023 after signing a widely reported multimillion-dollar agreement.
His arrival was considered an important achievement for the Saudi-backed competition because he was one of the world’s leading golfers.
However, Rahm’s legal representative informed a New Jersey bankruptcy court on October 7 that the Spaniard had reviewed the proposed terms for LIV Golf 2.0 and would not participate.
The decision ended expectations that Rahm would continue as one of the central figures in the reorganized competition.
His departure also raises questions about the long-term prospects of Legion XIII, the team he captained.
Two of his teammates, Tyrrell Hatton and Tom McKibbin, have subsequently confirmed that they will also leave.
Rahm’s next competitive opportunities are expected to involve the DP World Tour, although his longer-term PGA Tour position remains subject to the relevant eligibility rules.
Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter Announce Their Exits
Friday, October 23, brought two additional high-profile departures.
Hatton confirmed through social media that he would not take part in LIV Golf’s proposed relaunch.
The English golfer joined Rahm’s Legion XIII team in 2024 and enjoyed considerable success during his time on the circuit.
He is now expected to concentrate on opportunities within established professional tours, including the DP World Tour.
Poulter also announced that his association with LIV Golf would end.
The 50-year-old Ryder Cup veteran joined the competition in its inaugural 2022 season and became one of its most recognizable personalities.
His decision was influenced by a desire to spend more time with his family, reduce international travel and pursue senior golf opportunities.
Poulter also plans to devote more attention to his golf-related media activities and support his sons as they develop their careers.
Although the two players have different reasons for leaving, their decisions further reduce the number of experienced European names available to LIV Golf’s proposed relaunch.
Tom McKibbin and Louis Oosthuizen Choose Different Futures
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is another notable golfer to reject the 2027 competition.
The 23-year-old confirmed on October 23 that he intends to play a full DP World Tour schedule next season.
McKibbin joined LIV Golf ahead of the 2025 season despite having earned a PGA Tour card through his performances in Europe.
His decision to return to the DP World Tour may also support his ambitions to pursue future Ryder Cup selection.
Meanwhile, former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen announced on October 21 that he would leave LIV Golf after more than four years.
The South African cited his desire to manage his competitive schedule and international travel more effectively.
Both decisions illustrate the importance of flexibility for golfers seeking to balance tournament opportunities with their professional and personal priorities.
Is Bryson DeChambeau Leaving LIV Golf?
Bryson DeChambeau’s future remains one of the most closely watched aspects of LIV Golf’s restructuring.
The two-time U.S. Open champion has been among the competition’s biggest attractions since joining in 2022.
His performances, social media presence and international popularity have made him particularly valuable to LIV Golf’s marketing efforts.
According to Golf Digest, DeChambeau’s previous LIV Golf agreement has expired, leaving him without a confirmed long-term deal for the proposed 2027 competition.
However, being out of contract is not the same as announcing a departure.
Golfweek reported that sources indicated DeChambeau was continuing to support efforts to establish LIV Golf 2.0.
As of October 24, he had not made a definitive public announcement confirming a new playing agreement or rejecting the relaunch.
That means his official position remains unresolved.
Whether DeChambeau ultimately agrees to participate could be an important factor in LIV Golf’s ability to retain international attention.
What About Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann?
Several other prominent players have yet to establish publicly confirmed plans for 2027.
Phil Mickelson was one of LIV Golf’s original high-profile recruits and played a central role in bringing attention to the competition.
However, his participation in the proposed new league has not been confirmed.
Cameron Smith, the 2022 Open champion and captain of Ripper GC, has also faced questions about his future.
Reports suggest Smith has explored his contractual options during the bankruptcy process, but those discussions should not be interpreted as a definitive decision to leave.
Joaquin Niemann has publicly acknowledged that he is considering his options.
The Chilean has been one of LIV Golf’s most successful individual competitors, making his eventual decision particularly important for the league.
For now, these players should be classified as undecided or publicly unconfirmed rather than confirmed departures.
Which Players Are Staying With LIV Golf 2.0?
Despite the departures, several golfers have expressed support for continuing with the proposed competition.
Four players publicly identified as willing to remain are:
- Richard Bland
- Brendan Steele
- Cameron Tringale
- Ben Campbell
Other players have been linked with continuing participation, but not every reported expression of interest amounts to a finalized agreement.
The number of confirmed commitments remains an important consideration because LIV Golf’s restructuring plans depend partly on securing adequate player support.
The league is proposing a revised ownership model in which participating golfers would collectively hold a majority equity stake.
The proposal would represent a major change from the initial LIV Golf structure, which relied heavily on backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Why Are So Many Golfers Leaving LIV Golf?
There is no single explanation for the departures.
The decisions involve a combination of financial uncertainty, professional eligibility requirements, tournament schedules and personal priorities.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after the Public Investment Fund announced that it would discontinue financial support.
The organization subsequently pursued restructuring financing through BC Partners Credit, with a proposed package of up to $300 million intended to support the new competition.
The planned 2027 league would feature a reduced schedule of 10 events and a different financial structure.
At the same time, the DP World Tour has introduced restrictions affecting golfers who wish to maintain membership while competing in LIV Golf.
These changes have increased the importance of choosing between the competing circuits.
For younger players seeking ranking opportunities and major championship qualification, traditional tour schedules remain attractive.
For more experienced players, personal priorities and travel demands may play a greater role.
The timing of the announcements suggests that LIV Golf’s restructuring has forced many golfers to reconsider their professional futures.
However, individual motivations should not be assumed without direct statements from the players concerned.
October 25 Deadline Could Determine LIV Golf’s Future
The most important immediate date is Sunday, October 25, 2026.
LIV Golf has asked players to communicate their decisions about participating in the proposed relaunch by that deadline.
The league and its potential financial backers must then assess whether sufficient support exists to proceed with the revised model.
The proposed financing arrangement is not an unconditional guarantee that LIV Golf will continue operating.
Additional decisions involving player participation, financial arrangements and bankruptcy court proceedings remain necessary.
If enough golfers commit, the organization could move forward with its planned 2027 competition.
If support is insufficient, LIV Golf may face further restructuring or the possibility of winding down.
No final outcome had been established as of October 24.
What Does the LIV Golf Exodus Mean for Professional Golf?
The departure of multiple major champions, Ryder Cup veterans and established tour winners represents an important moment in the ongoing changes affecting men’s professional golf.
Since launching in 2022, LIV Golf has challenged traditional tournament structures and encouraged debate over player contracts, international competition and the economics of professional sport.
The league’s restructuring demonstrates how quickly those arrangements can change when financial backing and player priorities shift.
Jon Rahm’s exit is particularly significant because of his profile and success on the circuit.
However, players such as DeChambeau, Smith and Niemann could still influence the direction of the proposed competition.
The next stage will depend on whether LIV Golf can establish a sustainable operating model and attract enough players to support it.
For now, the list of departures continues to grow, while the league’s future remains undecided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which famous golfers have left LIV Golf?
Notable departures include Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen and Tom McKibbin.
Has Jon Rahm officially left LIV Golf?
Rahm has confirmed through his legal representative that he will not participate in LIV Golf 2.0. A separation agreement has also been reported.
Has Bryson DeChambeau left LIV Golf?
As of October 24, 2026, DeChambeau has not publicly confirmed a final decision to leave or rejoin under a new agreement.
Is Phil Mickelson staying with LIV Golf?
Mickelson’s participation in the proposed 2027 competition has not been publicly confirmed in the reporting reviewed.
Which players have committed to LIV Golf 2.0?
Richard Bland, Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale and Ben Campbell are among the players who have publicly expressed their intention to continue.
Why did LIV Golf file for bankruptcy?
The league sought Chapter 11 protection after losing financial support from its original Saudi backer and began efforts to restructure its financial obligations and operating model.
When must LIV golfers decide whether to stay?
The reported player commitment deadline is October 25, 2026, although further extensions or changes remain possible.
Is LIV Golf shutting down in 2027?
No final decision has been confirmed. The organization is attempting to secure financing and sufficient player commitments for its proposed relaunch.