LIV Golf’s hopes of returning in 2027 have suffered another major setback after Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter confirmed their departures from the Saudi-backed breakaway league, leaving its proposed relaunch facing growing uncertainty just two days before a crucial player-commitment deadline.
The two English Ryder Cup stars announced on Friday, October 23, that they would not participate in LIV Golf 2.0, the restructured competition being developed as the league attempts to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Their decisions came during an increasingly difficult week for LIV, with Branden Grace, Tom McKibbin and Lucas Herbert also moving toward full-time returns to the DP World Tour. Former world No. 1 Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen are among the other prominent players who have rejected the proposed new league.
LIV now faces an October 25 deadline to secure sufficient player commitments under a restructuring agreement with BC Partners Credit. The investment firm has proposed a financing package worth up to $300 million, but its support is tied to the viability of a new business model and the retention of a competitive playing roster.
Hatton and Poulter Join Growing LIV Golf Exodus
Hatton, who joined LIV in 2024 as a member of Rahm’s Legion XIII team, confirmed his decision through an Instagram statement.
The 35-year-old thanked supporters and said he was looking forward to the next chapter of his career. He also indicated that his immediate attention would turn to the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi Championship in November.
His departure is particularly significant because he remained one of LIV’s highest-profile active European players. Hatton had continued competing on the DP World Tour under a conditional release arrangement during 2026, but the European circuit’s approach to LIV participation is becoming more restrictive for next season.
Poulter, meanwhile, has chosen a different path after four years with the breakaway competition.
The 50-year-old former Ryder Cup star said the decision followed discussions with his family and management team. He plans to reduce international travel, spend more time at home and concentrate on senior golf while supporting his sons’ playing careers.
Poulter joined LIV for its inaugural season in 2022 and became one of the prominent figures behind Majesticks GC alongside Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson. Although he did not win an individual LIV tournament, he remained an outspoken supporter of the league throughout its early years.
Friday brought further setbacks when Grace confirmed his intention to return to the DP World Tour. The South African’s departure follows that of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, leaving their Southern Guards team without two established members.
McKibbin, who played alongside Rahm and Hatton at Legion XIII, also announced he would not sign a new LIV agreement. The Northern Irishman intends to play a full DP World Tour schedule in 2027.
The departures are not simply a matter of losing recognizable names. They also raise questions about whether LIV can preserve the teams that have formed the basis of its competition and commercial strategy.
How LIV Golf’s $300 Million Rescue Plan Works
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial backing.
The league subsequently reached a restructuring support agreement with BC Partners Credit, proposing a new ownership structure designed to reduce operating costs and give players a direct stake in the business.
Under the proposed arrangement, players would collectively hold 52.5% of LIV Golf 2.0, while investors would control 45% and management would receive the remaining 2.5%.
The league also plans to reduce its schedule to 10 tournaments in 2027, replacing the more expensive model that supported its original international expansion.
On October 14, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan approved the restructuring support agreement, allowing the process to move forward. However, the approval did not amount to final confirmation of LIV’s bankruptcy reorganization plan or guarantee that the league would operate next season.
That distinction has become increasingly important as more players reject the new terms.
BC Partners will determine whether LIV has secured enough participants, including the particular players needed to make the proposed competition commercially viable. No definitive public roster threshold has been established in the approved agreement.
The October 25 commitment deadline can also be extended or waived by the investor, meaning the league would not automatically collapse if it failed to meet the original date.
LIV’s attorneys have nevertheless indicated that a decision on whether to proceed with the relaunch or wind down the business is expected by the end of October.
Bryson DeChambeau’s Decision Remains Crucial
With several major champions already announcing their departures, attention is turning toward Bryson DeChambeau and the remaining established LIV stars.
DeChambeau has reportedly been involved in efforts to make the proposed relaunch work, but no publicly confirmed agreement establishing his participation in LIV Golf 2.0 had emerged by October 23.
The two-time U.S. Open champion is among the most recognizable players associated with the league, and his decision could influence its prospects of retaining sponsors, broadcasters and other competitors.
Other prominent players, including Joaquin Niemann, Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, have also faced questions about their plans for 2027.
A handful of players, including Richard Bland, Brendan Steele, Cameron Tringale and Ben Campbell, have publicly expressed support for continuing with LIV. However, expressions of support should not be confused with confirmation that enough binding contracts have been signed to satisfy investors.
The bankruptcy court has also approved the rejection of 19 existing player contracts, including those involving DeChambeau and Johnson. That move allows LIV to replace its previous compensation arrangements but does not, by itself, establish whether those golfers will accept new agreements.
Will LIV Golf Actually Play in 2027?
LIV Golf still has a possible route forward, but three major uncertainties remain: securing sufficient player commitments, completing the proposed financial restructuring and obtaining the necessary approvals to emerge from bankruptcy.
The $300 million financing proposal provides a potential foundation for a smaller, player-owned competition. It does not eliminate the difficulty of rebuilding a roster after the loss of some of the league’s biggest names.
The DP World Tour’s membership requirements add another complication, particularly for players hoping to remain eligible for European competition and future Ryder Cups.
For now, LIV’s survival cannot be described as either certain or impossible. The bankruptcy process provides a mechanism for the business to continue, while the departure of established players makes the proposed relaunch more difficult.
Sunday’s October 25 deadline will be an important test of whether LIV can attract the commitments its investors require. The more decisive development is expected before the end of October, when the league must determine whether it can proceed with LIV Golf 2.0 or begin winding down its operations.