Australian Lucas Herbert is leaving LIV Golf to play on the DP World Tour in 2027, joining Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter in a wave of departures just before the league’s reported 25 October deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0.
Herbert confirmed his decision to golf journalist Tom Hobbs, known as FlushingIt, Golf Monthly reported, making him one of several players to rule out the restructured league on Friday (US and UK time).
Hatton and Poulter both announced their exits on social media, BBC Sport reported, while South African Branden Grace also confirmed he would return to the DP World Tour, saying: “Returning to the DP World Tour feels like coming home.”
Herbert’s best season
Herbert, 30, won twice on LIV in 2026, including LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club, where he shot 61, and finished fourth in the individual standings. He also matched the major championship record with a 62 at Royal Birkdale on his way to a tie for sixth at The Open.
Golf Monthly reported that Herbert has no DP World Tour status at present despite being a three-time winner on the circuit, so he may need to arrange a deal to play there next year.
Read more: Louis Oosthuizen Quits LIV Golf Days Before LIV 2.0 Deadline
In August, Herbert said his management had spoken to the PGA Tour as a precaution. “If LIV were to go away and you’ve got nowhere to play, I think ultimately you need somewhere to play as a professional golfer,” he said, as reported by Golf Monthly.
Hatton and Poulter walk away
Hatton, who joined LIV in January 2024, posted on Instagram: “A big thank you to everyone for their continued support. I am excited for what the next chapter of my career holds.” He signed off by saying he looked forward to seeing fans at the DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi event from 5-8 November, Yahoo Sports reported.
Poulter, 50, who joined LIV at its launch in 2022, said he wanted more time at home with his family and to focus on senior golf.
“Ultimately, the opportunity to spend more time at home with my family, reduce international travel, focus on senior golf and have the opportunity to pursue other interests was something that I felt was right for me at this stage of my life and career,” Poulter wrote.
Read more: DP World Tour Shuts Door on LIV Golf Players for 2027
What it means for Cam Smith
Herbert’s exit is a blow for the all-Australian Ripper GC team. Golf Monthly said it “must make his Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith’s future a big concern”, while Golfmagic’s LIV 2.0 tracker still listed Smith and Marc Leishman as undecided.
LIV has been in turmoil since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing in April. The league filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last month and has secured a possible US$300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit to push ahead with LIV 2.0, according to BBC Sport.
Major champions Jon Rahm and Louis Oosthuizen had already announced they were leaving before Friday’s departures.
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