Louis Oosthuizen will not re-sign with LIV Golf for its next phase and rejoin the DP World Tour in January 2027, opting to take back complete control of his playing schedule for his career’s final chapter.
At 44, the 2010 Open champion still believes he has "a lot more" in him, but insists the only way to remain genuinely competitive is through a "schedule I control".
Refusing to commit to an expanded, relentless calendar under LIV’s next phase, the South African made the tough call to step down from Southern Guards GC, the all-South African roster he has led since the circuit launched.
"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," Oosthuizen said.
"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 described leaving the franchise as one of the toughest decisions of his 24-year professional career.
Alongside long-time friends Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, and Dean Burmester, Oosthuizen built Southern Guards GC into a deeply personal venture, capped by bringing LIV Golf to home soil at Steyn City earlier this year.
"Southern Guards is my team. It always has been and it always will be. That's what makes this so difficult," he admitted.
"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."
While his belief in team golf remains intact, Oosthuizen’s priority has shifted strictly to managing his physical output and preserving his competitive edge.
Returning to the DP World Tour in 2027 brings his career full circle, taking him back to the tour where his international journey began over two decades ago.
"It's where I started as a youngster back in 2004 after turning professional in 2002, so I'm happy to be back," he said.
"I'm especially looking forward to revisiting some of the courses I haven't played in a while."
Oosthuizen will play at this week's, Hong Kong Open before shifting his focus to building a tailored, self-managed schedule for 2027.