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Lee Westwood Says He’s Unemployed After LIV 2.0 Uncertainty Following Saudi PIF Withdrawal
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Westwood hasn’t signed LIV 2.0 nor spoken with DP World Tour about return. He says he is unemployed as LIV Golf’s future remains unclear after PIF withdrawal.
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Westwood weighs LIV exit
Lee Westwood said he has not signed for LIV 2.0 and has not held talks with the DP World Tour about a return, leaving the European Ryder Cup legend “unemployed” as he considers his future. Westwood said, “I'm currently unemployed,” and he added that “There hasn't been anything presented to me that is agreeable for LIV 2.0.”
The BBC reported that LIV's future remains unclear after Saudi's Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing, having pumped in more than $5bn (£3.8bn), and led the league to file for bankruptcy protection last month. Westwood also said he has “been stupid” not to set himself up financially for life, and he told the podcast, “I've made a fortune over the last four and a half years.”
Rahm rejects 2.0 direction
Jon Rahm said he left LIV because he “wasn't willing to follow the path” taken by the league as it fights for survival. Rahm told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Championship that “As much as I liked the project and the idea on, let's say, LIV 1.0, I wasn't thrilled with the changes they were doing to 2.0,” and he said, “I just didn't like where they were going with 2.0.”
Sky Sports said Rahm declined the Returning Member Program that Brooks Koepka chose to take in January, and it said Rahm is set to return to play on the DP World Tour in 2027. Rahm said he has not yet had clarity on what a PGA Tour return would look like, and he added, “I have yet to have a discussion with the PGA Tour to see if there's any path back for next year.”
Penalties, schedules, and uncertainty
Rahm said he would accept a penalty if needed, telling Sky Sports, “If I have to fulfil a one-year suspension, it's a pretty good position to be in.”
“If I have to fulfil a one-year suspension, it's a pretty good position to be in.”
Rahm added, “I seriously doubt I will get offered the same deals that Brooks did,” and he said, “But if I got offered exactly the same penalties as him, I probably would do it, yes.”
The BBC said LIV secured a possible $300m (£224m) in financing from BC Partners Credit to try to move forward with LIV 2.0, but only a handful of players have so far committed to the proposed competition in 2027.
Westwood said he is still waiting for a decision, and he told the podcast, “I haven't signed 2.0. I haven't signed anything.”