Lee Westwood has no job right now. The 53-year-old English golfer told the world he is currently “unemployed” because he has not signed a deal for the revamped LIV Golf tour. This comes as the league tries to launch a new version called LIV 2.0 in 2027. Westwood was a big name when the series started in 2022, but the future looks different for him.
During a recent interview on The Chipping Forecast podcast, the former world number one said the league has not offered him terms he likes. According to Sky Sports, Westwood stated that LIV 2.0 had not offered him “anything agreeable” regarding the proposed relaunch. He also said he has not held talks about going back to the DP World Tour. The uncertainty leaves a major gap in the player field as the tour tries to find its footing.
The Ryder Cup Trade-Off
Westwood gave up a shot at leading Team Europe to join this new league. He was lined up to be captain for the 2023 event in Rome. He spoke with Guy Kinnings, the chief executive of the DP World Tour, about the role. Westwood asked if he could still be captain if he moved to LIV. Kinnings did not refuse, yet he indicated there was minimal likelihood of it happening.
Westwood chose the money and the new league over the team role. He told the podcast that he has “no regrets” about that path. “But we make calls in life, you make a choice, and I have no regrets over the choice I made there,” Westwood said. He observed that Henrik Stenson accepted the captaincy despite potential LIV involvement, resulting in Stenson losing the position. Westwood said he did not want to rely on other people for his success.
Financial Hurdles and Other Stars
The new tour faces big money problems. The Saudi Public Investment Fund pulled its support last month, and the league filed for bankruptcy protection. The fund had put more than $5 billion into the project. Now, LIV Golf is trying to raise up to $300 million from BC Partners Credit to keep moving. Only a few players have agreed to join the new format so far.
Other stars are leaving the fold too. Jon Rahm clarified his choice to exit the series while at the Abu Dhabi Championship. He disliked the alterations suggested for LIV 2.0, such as potentially ending the team format. Rahm joined LIV under a deal worth about $300 million. After he left, the rest of his contract still entitled him to $100 million. Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and others have also walked away.
Should Westwood seek a return to the DP World Tour, a lengthy wait awaits him. He gave up his tour membership when he joined LIV. The rules say he must serve a 10-tournament suspension if his membership is reinstated. Westwood said if his membership came back on November 12, he could not play until the tournament in Turkey in May. The clock is ticking on his career.
Westwood believes the project could work if costs go down and enough athletes join. He stressed that he has not signed any documents for the new tour. The league needs players like him to make the 2027 launch a success.
