Three more players walk away

Tyrrell Hatton has left LIV Golf and will return full-time to the DP World Tour, announcing the move on Instagram on Friday, 23 October 2026. Tom McKibbin, a 23-year-old Northern Irish golfer, confirmed the same day that he will not sign for the league's next chapter and will play a full schedule on the DP World Tour in 2027. Ian Poulter, who is 50, also said on Friday that he is leaving, citing more time at home with his family, less international travel and a focus on senior golf. Earlier in the week of 19 October, Louis Oosthuizen had said he would return to the DP World Tour next year, while Jon Rahm, the most prominent defector, had announced his own exit in September.

“It was a tough decision and one I thought about and discussed at length with my family and team.”

Why the exodus is happening

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing after putting five billion US dollars into the league over four years, according to RTE. LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2026, and to relaunch as LIV 2.0 with new money from BC Partners Capital it has cancelled the contracts of all its existing players, hoping they will re-sign on new terms. According to the New York Times, players faced three options: convert their remaining contracts into equity in the new league, cancel after settlements with the PIF, or pursue unpaid sums in court as unsecured creditors. Rahm reportedly gave up a reported £75million ($100m) owed to him by LIV after reaching a separation agreement. If the league reaches 2027, it plans a 10-event schedule, with five events in the United States and five elsewhere.

The DP World Tour has said any player who signs with the new-look LIV will be ineligible for membership and ruled out of Ryder Cup contention. Its chief executive, Guy Kinnings, had warned in the week of 12 October 2026 that players who signed with LIV for 2027 would be barred from the DP World Tour next season, and that it was time for players to make a choice.

McKibbin's record and McIlroy's advice

McKibbin won the 2023 Porsche European Open, then turned down one of 10 DP World Tour promotions to the PGA Tour at the end of 2024 and joined Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team in 2025. The Irish Independent puts his tournament earnings and team bonuses at $18.7m over two seasons, and he is 83rd in the Race to Dubai. The New York Times notes that he played five majors, made one cut, a T50 at the 2025 PGA Championship, and is ranked No. 67 by Data Golf. Since LIV's season ended, he finished T6 at the British Masters and tied for fifth at the Irish Open. In his post, McKibbin said his time with LIV had been the right decision at the time.

“Joining LIV Golf was the right decision for me at the time, and I'm grateful for everything it has given me.”

Rory McIlroy, who grew up playing the same course as McKibbin at Holywood Golf Club, had advised him against joining the league. McIlroy said so in January 2025.

“Look, I said to him, if I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you're thinking of making.”

Hatton's LIV years and Poulter's next chapter

Hatton joined LIV in January 2024, weeks after Rahm, having already played on three Ryder Cup teams and been a consistent top-20 player. Before moving, he had won the 2020 Arnold Palmer Invitational and eight DP World Tour events. He won twice on LIV, in 2024 and in Andalucia, Spain, in 2026. When PIF pulled its funding, his choice of Queen's 'I Want To Break Free' as his walk-up song at LIV's final 2026 event in Indianapolis was read as a signal that he wanted to leave, a reading he denied at the British Masters.

Poulter, a member of five Ryder Cup-winning teams, said his playing days 'certainly aren't done yet'. He made his first DP World Tour start in over three years at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October 2026. He plans to focus on senior golf, grow his The Postman YouTube channel and support his sons in their golf.