David Puig Exits LIV Golf After Four Years, Joins DP World Tour for 2027

David Puig has left LIV Golf after four years, citing uncertainty over the league's schedule and its bankruptcy proceedings, and will join the DP World Tour for 2027. Yahoo reported the move on November 3, 2026. Puig's first appearance as a DP World Tour player will come at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

Puig's Four Years and His Reasons for Leaving

Puig told Today's Golfer that his time on the tour improved his game. "When I signed, I was a good amateur, but it definitely made me a better player," he said. He added that he is "here playing this event and playing majors because of the player that LIV made me."

Puig said the lack of clarity about major opportunities and world rankings weighed on his decision. "That was a big thing for me, not knowing what was going to happen with LIV," he said. He also said he "thought it was time to move on and find something more consistent."

LIV Golf is navigating bankruptcy proceedings after the PIF withdrew financial support, and reports indicate the league would operate with a much smaller schedule and prize pool even if it survives. Puig said he was in a good spot with a full year ahead, but the instability made a traditional tour more appealing.

Lucas Herbert, who won twice on LIV in 2026, told Keiran Nolan on the Tee It Up Golf Podcast that travel demands were the real issue. "The demands with LIV that continued throughout the last three years was around the distance between venues," Herbert said. He described a schedule that moved from Hong Kong to Singapore, then South Africa, the US, Korea and Spain in quick succession.

LIV Golf's Restructuring and Capital Plans

According to akta.pro company records, LIV Golf retained Ducera Partners LLC in May 2026 as investment banking advisor to lead a $250–350 million capital raise from private equity, family offices, high-net-worth individuals and media companies to replace PIF as the controlling backer. The same records show the league appointed corporate restructuring executives Gene Davis and Jon Zinman as independent directors that month, while PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down as chairman.

Earlier Player Exits From LIV Golf

Sergio Garcia left LIV Golf in October 2026 to return to the DP World Tour in 2027, following the league's bankruptcy and the Public Investment Fund's withdrawal, Yahoo reported. Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open winner, said the same month he would not pursue LIV 2.0, the new version of the tour due in 2027, according to BBC. An Byeong-hoon terminated his contract in October 2026 and waived unpaid money from LIV, Nate reported.

Lee Westwood's Status After Not Re-Signing

Lee Westwood said he is unemployed after not signing for LIV 2.0, BBC reported on November 3, 2026. Westwood could return to the DP World Tour only after a 10-tournament suspension, with his first possible event in May.