Lee Westwood says he is ‘unemployed’ as LIV Golf future remains uncertain

Lee Westwood says he is “currently unemployed” after declining to sign for LIV Golf’s proposed successor competition, with the former world number one also yet to discuss a return to the DP World Tour.

The 53-year-old Englishman, who joined the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit at its launch in 2022, said no acceptable offer had been put before him for LIV 2.0. His comments underline the uncertainty facing players as the league attempts to rebuild for 2027.

According to the BBC, LIV filed for bankruptcy protection in October after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing, having invested more than $5 billion. The league has secured a possible $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit, but only a handful of players have committed to the proposed competition.

Westwood keeps his options open

Speaking to The Chipping Forecast podcast, Westwood said: “There hasn’t been anything presented to me that is agreeable for LIV 2.0, there are still a lot of things on that which need fine-tuning. I haven’t signed for 2.0. I haven’t signed anything.”

Westwood remains active on the course, finishing tied 14th at last week’s Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour. However, he said the financial rewards from his time at LIV meant he no longer needed to play professionally.

“I’ve made a fortune over the last four and a half years,” he said. “I don’t really have to play golf again, but I still love playing golf.”

Despite his reluctance to commit, Westwood has not dismissed the relaunch. He said the previous business structure involved too much waste, but believed a revised competition could succeed if it attracted enough players.

DP World Tour return would involve a suspension

A return to the DP World Tour is another possible route for Westwood, who has won 25 times on the circuit and represented Europe in 11 Ryder Cups. It would not, however, offer an immediate return to competition.

Westwood said he had not held substantive discussions with the tour and understood that rejoining would require him to serve a 10-tournament suspension.

“I know that if I sign up on 12 November, I’ve got to serve a 10-tournament suspension, which takes me through the South African Open,” he said.

He identified an event in Turkey in May as his potential first opportunity to play, while stressing that the timetable remained uncertain. No decision on rejoining has been announced.

Rahm explains his departure

Westwood’s deliberations come as Jon Rahm explained why he left LIV in October after reaching a separation agreement. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Championship, his first event since leaving, the Spaniard said he did not like the direction of the proposed replacement competition.

“There were too many unknowns,” Rahm said. “It seemed like it was going a bit away from team golf.”

Rahm is among several prominent players to have left LIV in recent weeks, alongside Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell.

For Westwood, neither LIV 2.0 nor a DP World Tour comeback is settled. His next step remains dependent on the terms available and whether he wants to commit to either route.