Louis Oosthuizen winner Former Open winner Louis Oosthuizen has become the latest high-profile player to retire from LIV Golf, describing it as “the most difficult decision he has had to make in his career”.
The deal filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States in September after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its multibillion-dollar support.
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Oosthuizen, 44, joined LIV Golf in 2022 and was captain of the GC South team.
South Africa now plans to return to the DP Tour in 2027.
“Five years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life, to step away from the traditional world of golf and into something very special with LIV Golf and Southern Guards GC,” Oosthuizen posted on social media.
“I am the biggest supporter of the Caledonian Cup and always will be. It needs a lot more of it.
“This is probably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make in my life, but what I believe is the right thing to do.”
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The 2010 Open champion, who has finished as runner-up at least once in each of the remaining three majors, said a more flexible playing schedule will help him strive for a higher level.
“I realized I had a lot more in me, and my biggest fear was that the schedule in LIV 2.0 would be tough to control,” said former world number four Oosthuizen.
“I feel that I have a few years of good football left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is to manage my schedule.”
Oosthuizen joins Thomas Pieters, Sergio Garcia, Abraham Ancer, David Puig and Adrian Meronk in announcing their departure.
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Last week, two-time major winner Jon Rahm handed in the £75m he was owed by LIV Golf after they reached a separation agreement.
Some former LIV golf players, including Brooks Koepka, have criticized the PGA Tour, which revised its rules in December to allow five major winners to return subject to certain sanctions.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tours, told BBC Sport earlier this month that players who will continue with LIV will not be allowed to be members of Europe next season.
LIV secured $300m (£224.2m) in potential funding from BC Credit Partners to try to move forward with the 2027 season.