Westwood remains unsigned for LIV 2.0 as Rahm explains departure
Lee Westwood has not agreed to join the proposed LIV 2.0 competition and says he has yet to discuss a return with the DP World Tour, according to BBC Sport. His comments leave the former world number one's playing plans unsettled as LIV attempts to reorganise for 2027.
Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWFjoKmwwzQ
Speaking to The Chipping Forecast podcast, the 53-year-old said no acceptable proposal had been presented to him and that elements of the new competition still needed work. Westwood said he had signed nothing. Although he described himself as financially able to stop competing, he stressed that he still enjoyed playing and was weighing his options.
BBC Sport reported that LIV filed for bankruptcy protection last month after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew its support. The league has secured a possible $300 million in financing from BC Partners Credit for the proposed successor competition, but only a handful of players have committed so far. That potential funding does not settle the question of who will play.
Jon Rahm, meanwhile, has explained his decision to leave the league after reaching a separation agreement in October. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Championship, his first event since that departure, the two-time major champion said he disliked the direction of the planned changes. According to the BBC, these were his first public comments since securing his exit.
Rahm said the proposed format involved too many unknowns and appeared to place less emphasis on team golf, becoming closer to a conventional tournament. Westwood took a different view of its prospects, arguing that a viable business could emerge despite waste in the previous structure. He nevertheless said attracting players remained an unanswered question, rather than confirming his own participation.
A DP World Tour comeback would also present obstacles for Westwood, who has 25 tour victories and 11 Ryder Cup appearances. The BBC reported that he would have to accept a 10-tournament suspension imposed after resigning his membership. Westwood said joining on 12 November could leave him waiting until Turkey in May to compete, but cautioned that he was not yet certain about that timetable.
Comments
0No comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts!