Louis Oosthuizen leaves LIV Golf and returns to the DP World Tour in 2027

Louis Oosthuizen is leaving LIV Golf. The South African announced Wednesday that he will not re-sign for the league's next phase and will return to the DP World Tour in January 2027. The move also ends his run as captain of Southern Guards GC, the all-South African team he has led since LIV's first season in 2022.

Why he is leaving

Oosthuizen tied the decision to the calendar. "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," he said in his statement, as carried by News24 and The Citizen. "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."

He called it probably the hardest decision of his career and said it doesn't change how he feels about his teammates. Southern Guards also includes Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Dean Burmester. "Southern Guards is my team. It always has been and it always will be," he said.

Oosthuizen, 44, still backs the team format. "I'm the biggest supporter of team golf and always will be. Golf needs more of it," he said. He named LIV's stop at Steyn City in March 2026 as a highlight, calling it "one of the best things I've done in my career."

Where LIV stands

The exit comes during a shaky stretch for the league. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after losing its financial backing, and it is trying to relaunch under a plan known as LIV 2.0, with a revamped event confirmed for 2027. Oosthuizen is the latest captain to walk away. Jon Rahm rejected LIV 2.0 terms earlier this month, and Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose have publicly welcomed a path back for LIV players.

What's next

Oosthuizen's next start is the Hong Kong Open, October 22 to 25 at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. He then shifts to building his 2027 schedule. "It's where I started as a youngster back in 2004 after turning professional in 2002, so I'm happy to be back," he said of the DP World Tour.

If you follow the pros, look for Oosthuizen on DP World Tour leaderboards starting in January. Watch whether other Southern Guards players follow him out, and whether more LIV players announce their plans before the league's October 25 deadline for returns.