Graeme McDowell Exits LIV Golf: Major Champion's Departure Shakes Up Saudi-Backed League

BBC Sport · 2026-10-26
Graeme McDowell Exits LIV Golf: Major Champion's Departure Shakes Up Saudi-Backed League

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell has become the latest major champion to leave LIV Golf, marking another high-profile departure from the Saudi-backed circuit. The 2010 U.S. Open winner's exit adds to a growing list of notable players who have parted ways with the league, raising questions about its stability and long-term appeal. McDowell, a Ryder Cup stalwart, joined LIV in 2022 but now joins others in stepping away, signaling potential shifts in the golf landscape. His departure underscores the ongoing tension between traditional tours and the breakaway league, and it could influence other players weighing their options. LIV Golf's roster continues to evolve, but losing a major champion like McDowell highlights the challenges the league faces in retaining top talent. As the golf world watches, McDowell's next move will be closely followed, and his exit may prompt further defections from the controversial circuit.