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Former Open Champion Oosthuizen Quits LIV Golf
Confirmed
In Short: Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has announced his departure from LIV Golf, citing the need for a more controlled schedule to remain competitive.
Oosthuizen, 44, joined LIV Golf in 2022 and served as captain of the all-South African team, Southern Guards GC, since its inception.
The South African golfer expressed mixed feelings about his decision, noting that joining LIV Golf five years ago was one of the best decisions of his life.
"I feel I have a few more years of good, competitive golf left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is through a schedule I control," Oosthuizen said.
Oosthuizen's decision comes as LIV Golf faces financial challenges, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its financial backing.
The league is attempting to relaunch with new backing from BC Partners, but Oosthuizen's departure is another blow to its efforts.
"This is probably the hardest decision I've had to make in my career, but I have to do what I believe is right for my golf," Oosthuizen stated.
Oosthuizen's exit follows that of Jon Rahm, who gave up a reported £75m owed to him by LIV Golf after reaching a separation agreement.
Southern Guards GC will continue to hold a special place in Oosthuizen's heart, despite his decision to leave the team.
"Despite my strong belief in the team format, I believe a more flexible playing schedule will give me the best opportunity to compete at the level I still expect of myself," Oosthuizen explained.
Oosthuizen's return to the DP World Tour is expected to be a significant move, as the tour has told players it will not grant them membership if they also play in LIV Golf, effectively ruling out any Europeans with aspirations of featuring in next year’s Ryder Cup.
"I loved LIV and the team aspect, but it’s time to move on," Oosthuizen said, reflecting on his time with the league.
What this adds
Oosthuizen's departure marks a significant shift in LIV Golf's roster, as he is the fourth team captain to leave the league recently.
What's confirmed
- Oosthuizen, 44, joined LIV Golf in 2022 and served as captain of the all-South African team Southern Guards GC.
- “Five years ago, I made one of the best decisions of my life, moving away from the traditional golf world and into something very special with LIV Golf and Southern Guards GC,” said Oosthuizen.
- Oosthuizen has previously described bringing LIV Golf to South Africa as one of the proudest achievements of his career.
- While Oosthuizen’s immediate focus will be on returning to individual competition on the DP World Tour, he emphasised that Southern Guards GC will always hold a special place in his heart.
- "This is probably the hardest decision I've had to make in my career, but I have to do what I believe is right for my golf."
- "I realised I have a lot more in me, and my biggest fear was that the schedule on LIV 2.0 would be tough to manage," said former world number four Oosthuizen.
What's still developing
- Former British Open Championship winner Louis Oosthuizen has announced he is leaving LIV Golf and plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2027.
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- Former Open champion Oosthuizen, who has skippered LIV Golf’s South African team since it launched in 2022, has followed Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm and Fireballs captain Sergio Garcia in walking away ahead of a deadline this week for its players to commit to its next iteration.
- Smash GC skipper Brooks Koepka stepped down after the 2025 season, while Torque GC captain Joaquin Niemann, one of the most prolific winners on LIV Golf, is widely expected to leave too.
- Sam Burns would welcome back golfers like Bryson Dechambeau and Jon Rahm back on the PGA Tour despite committing to LIV years ago The next iteration of LIV Golf – whatever that may or may not look like – has suffered yet another blow with former major champion Louis Oosthuizen announcing that he is leaving the circuit.
- The LIV Golf logo is near the first tee during the second round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas, on June 28, 2025.
- While Oosthuizen's departure from LIV doesn't deliver the same-sized blow as Jon Rahm's exit, it is quite the peculiar move.
- You couple those factors with his own note about scheduling issues, and it's hard not to assume that Oosthuizen simply sees the not-so-great writing on the wall regarding LIV's future.
- Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has revealed plans to "move on" as LIV Golf prepares to enter a new era.
- The exodus from the league is gathering pace after 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen became the second captain to announce he has played his final LIV event.
- Oosthuizen earned over $32million in prize money across his five seasons at LIV without registering an individual win, and despite suggesting the lighter schedule was one of the reasons he joined, he now wants to play elsewhere.
- Southern Guards skipper Oosthuizen initially told the South China Morning Post ahead of this week’s Link Hong Kong Open that the proposed relaunch of the league in 2027 requires “a lot of international travel for single events”.