Sam Horsfield’s future in professional golf is attracting attention as uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf raises questions about how former DP World Tour players could secure playing opportunities for 2027.
The English golfer, who has won three times on the DP World Tour, is among the players whose names have been linked in golf reporting with a potential return to the European circuit.
The possibility has additional significance because Horsfield is a former winner of European Tour Qualifying School, having topped the competition in 2017 before establishing himself on tour.
However, a new Q-School entry or confirmed departure from LIV Golf has not been independently verified.
Sam Horsfield’s History With DP World Tour Q-School
Horsfield’s professional career began with an impressive achievement at European Tour Q-School in November 2017.
After turning professional earlier that year, he advanced through the qualifying stages and won the six-round Final Stage at Lumine Golf Club in Spain.
The Englishman finished at 27-under-par, eight shots clear of the chasing field, after producing a final-round 63.
The performance secured his place on the European Tour for 2018.
It proved to be the beginning of a successful period on the circuit.
Horsfield won twice during the 2020 UK Swing, capturing the Hero Open and Celtic Classic just weeks apart.
His third victory came at the Soudal Open in Belgium in May 2022, when he defeated Ryan Fox and Yannik Paul by two strokes.
Those results established him as a proven tournament winner before he joined LIV Golf.
What Happened to Horsfield at LIV Golf?
Horsfield joined LIV Golf in 2022 and became part of Majesticks Golf Club alongside experienced English players Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
The team announced in January 2026 that he had renewed his contract for that season.
Laurie Canter also joined the lineup.
Although Horsfield has experienced some competitive success on LIV, including a runner-up finish at Nashville in 2024, his 2026 results were less consistent.
LIV’s published season records list him 57th in the individual standings, with 38.22 points.
His established record on the DP World Tour could make a return to the traditional circuit an attractive possibility.
However, speculation about future playing plans should not be confused with an official contract termination or confirmed tournament entry.
Why LIV Golf Players Are Looking at Qualifying School
LIV Golf’s financial difficulties have created uncertainty for players planning their 2027 schedules.
After losing financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the league entered a restructuring process and began exploring a revised competition model.
The proposed LIV 2.0 format has faced questions about future financing, player commitments and tour eligibility.
In September, Reuters reported that five LIV golfers were attempting to qualify for the DP World Tour through Q-School.
Those players included Peter Uihlein, Josele Ballester, Luis Masaveu, Michael La Sasso and Yosuke Asaji.
Their decisions highlighted the importance of maintaining alternative playing opportunities while the future of LIV remained unsettled.
The DP World Tour has also indicated that players seeking membership in 2027 would face restrictions on participating in both circuits.
As a result, golfers considering their options must weigh contract obligations, tournament eligibility and the opportunity to compete regularly.
How Does DP World Tour Q-School Work in 2026?
The 2026 DP World Tour Qualifying School provides players with a competitive pathway toward tour status for the 2027 season.
The process comprises three stages.
The First Stage took place across European venues from August through September.
The Second Stage is scheduled for October 29 to November 1 at four venues in Spain.
The Final Stage runs November 6–11 at INFINITUM in Tarragona, Spain.
Important Q-School Dates
| Stage | Dates |
|---|---|
| First Stage | August–September 2026 |
| Second Stage | October 29–November 1 |
| Final Stage | November 6–11 |
| Venue for Final Stage | INFINITUM, Spain |
| Players at Final Stage | 156 |
| DP World Tour qualifying places | Top 15 and ties |
The top 15 players and ties at Final Stage earn DP World Tour playing opportunities alongside full status on the HotelPlanner Tour.
However, qualifying does not mean every graduate receives automatic entry into every DP World Tour event.
The number of tournament starts depends on membership categories, field availability and the tour’s priority system.
Would Horsfield Automatically Regain His DP World Tour Card?
Not necessarily.
Horsfield’s three previous tournament victories and successful history on the European circuit are important achievements, but they do not establish his 2027 playing eligibility.
A return could depend on current membership rules, exemptions, an accepted Q-School entry or other applicable qualification pathways.
Any restrictions connected with previous LIV participation would also need to be considered.
For that reason, a confirmed Q-School entry would be significant, but it would not by itself mean Horsfield had regained full tour status.
The decisive development would be an official confirmation of his eligibility and subsequent qualification.
What Happens Next for Sam Horsfield?
With the DP World Tour’s Second Stage approaching and LIV Golf facing important decisions about its future, the coming weeks could provide more clarity.
For Horsfield, a return to the DP World Tour would reconnect him with the circuit where he achieved his three professional tour victories.
His previous Q-School triumph demonstrates that he has succeeded under that particular form of qualifying pressure.
However, the process has become more competitive, with only 15 players and ties now earning playing opportunities through Final Stage.
Until an official entry or statement is confirmed, Horsfield’s possible DP World Tour return remains a developing story rather than a completed move.