HONG KONG — Former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has confirmed he will not sign for the next iteration of the LIV Golf League, with the deadline for players to decide falling this Sunday (25th) when it will become clear whether 'LIV 2.0' can proceed. The 2010 Open champion, captain of the Southern Guards — formerly Stingers GC — confirmed his decision while teeing it up at the Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour, where the winner will clinch spots at The Masters and The Open.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, Oosthuizen explained his choice to step away. “I need to arrange my own schedule and look after my body. I want to play near one spot for three weeks at a time, not have all the big travelling for one tournament. I loved LIV and the team aspect, but it’s time to move on,” he said.
Oosthuizen is the latest in a growing exodus that has weakened the team-based circuit’s plans for 2027 and beyond, following Jon Rahm, Joaquin Niemann, Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, Adrian Meronk and Cameron Smith, who have either announced their intention to walk away or made key moves to set up an exit. According to Flushing It on X, LIV bosses had originally thought the full Southern Guards would commit to the new-look league, but with Oosthuizen departing, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester are now expected to follow, leaving only Charl Schwartzel to make up his mind before the end of the week.
LIV Golf was thrown into doubt in April when the Saudi Arabian PIF announced it would cut funding to the league. The circuit scrambled to complete its 2026 season but lost two events along the way before applying for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Despite agreeing a deal with BC Partners for up to $300 million in funding, that agreement can reportedly only proceed in full if enough players sign up for 2027 and beyond — an outcome that now appears increasingly unlikely.