LIV Golf 2.0 suffers fresh blow as Oosthuizen becomes fourth team captain to quit

South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen has announced his departure from LIV Golf and his return to the DP World Tour. This decision comes at a time of uncertainty for the breakaway golf tour, which has recently lost financial backing from Saudi Arabia. LIV Golf is now considering a relaunch under a new name, LIV 2.0. Oosthuizen admitted that the choice to no longer re-sign with LIV was one of the toughest decisions of his career.

He has been the captain of the Southern Guards team since its inception in LIV Golf. "Five years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life, moving away from the traditional golf world and into something very special with LIV Golf and the Southern Guards," Oosthuizen said. "I'm the biggest supporter of team golf and always will be.

Golf needs more of it." He added that a more flexible playing schedule on the DP World Tour would allow him to compete at his highest level. "I realised I have a lot more in me and my biggest fear was that the schedule on LIV 2.0 would be tough to manage. I feel I have a few more years of good, competitive golf left in me, and the only way to be really sharp and competitive is through a schedule I control."

Oosthuizen also addressed his departure from the Southern Guards team, which includes players such as Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, and Dean Burmester. He said: "This is probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my career, but I have to do what I believe is right for my golf. It doesn’t change how I feel about the team or the guys."

Looking ahead, Oosthuizen expressed his excitement about returning to the DP World Tour. This is where he started his professional golfing career in 2004, after turning pro in 2002. He is particularly looking forward to playing some of the courses he has not played in a while. Oosthuizen is set to make his first appearance on the DP World Tour in January.