Lucas Herbert Explains Why He's Leaving LIV Golf

Lucas Herbert says he is leaving LIV Golf, and that the decision has little to do with money. The Australian, who earned more than $25 million on course across three LIV seasons, told the Tee It Up Podcast he wants a schedule that gives him a better chance to prepare for and compete in majors.

Why is Lucas Herbert leaving LIV Golf?

Herbert joined LIV in 2024 as part of Cameron Smith's Ripper GC team. He won LIV Golf Virginia and LIV Golf New York in 2026, a season that also included a T6 finish at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Despite that success, he said LIV's shrinking proposed schedule for 2027 does not fit his goals.

According to Herbert, LIV Golf 2.0 is expected to carry roughly 10 tournaments, with the possibility of a few more lower-stakes events added on. He said he is unsure what fields or venues those events would draw, and that the format offers too little access to major championships, which he called his top priority.

"Ten events is not enough to build a season around."

What is happening with LIV Golf's bankruptcy?

LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing. LIV Golf CEO Scott O'Neil has since secured a commitment of up to $300 million from BC Partners Global to launch LIV Golf 2.0, but the money is contingent on the league keeping what BC Partners considers a critical mass of players.

An amended restructuring agreement removed any fixed deadline for players to commit to the new league, leaving BC Partners full discretion over whether enough players remain to proceed. LIV's attorneys had told the bankruptcy court they expected clarity by the end of October on whether the league would wind down or move ahead with LIV 2.0. That date has passed, and the league remains in Chapter 11 with no resolution announced.

How would LIV Golf 2.0 differ from the original league?

Herbert is one of several players who have left LIV in recent months. Jon Rahm's attorney told a New Jersey bankruptcy court that Rahm found the proposed LIV 2.0 terms unacceptable, and Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter have also departed, citing differing reasons. Bryson DeChambeau remains with the league and has said publicly that he is working to help LIV 2.0 launch successfully.