Lucas Herbert has confirmed he is leaving LIV Golf to return to the DP World Tour. The Australian golfer made the announcement on Monday, becoming the first player from his home country to jump ship. He stated that the chance to play in major championships was the main reason for his move. Herbert won two events on the LIV circuit in 2026 but decided the limited schedule was not enough for his career goals.
The decision comes as the PGA Tour of Australasia prepares to resume play next week. Herbert will make his first start at the NSW Open. He told listeners on the Tee It Up podcast that he has no regrets about his time with the rebel league. The 32-year-old golfer praised the people he worked with but said his competitive drive demanded a different path. Other Australian stars like Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman are still weighing their own futures.
The Major Moment That Changed Everything
Herbert’s time at The Open Championship proved to be the turning point. He found himself leading the tournament and fighting for the title while wearing his LIV team gear. That experience sparked a realization about where he wanted to be in the game. He described the week as the highlight of his entire year. The feeling of competing for a major trophy outweighed the financial security of the Saudi-backed league.
Speaking about that week, Herbert said, according to Fox Sports, “I looked back at leading, being in contention at The Open having the week I did there, and that was incredible.” He noted that the experience put a fire in his belly to return to the traditional tour. The desire to improve his game and fight for the biggest prizes became his top priority. Money was not the deciding factor in his choice to leave.
“I’m not super caught up in how much money I play for … but genuinely for me I want to see my game improve, I want to give myself the best chance to play in majors, to compete in majors.” Herbert made it clear that he wanted the best possible shot at winning golf’s four major championships. The current rules on the PGA Tour block players from LIV from competing in these events. This ban forced him to choose between the two worlds.
A Schedule Too Short to Build On
The structure of LIV Golf also played a major role in Herbert’s decision. The league planned a season with only ten tournaments. While there were talks of extra events, the core schedule remained very light compared to other tours. Herbert felt that ten events were simply not enough to build a full season around.
He explained the situation on the podcast, noting the uncertainty around the number of games. “LIV was going to be from what it sounds like 10 tournaments, they were telling us there is going to be potentially more events to play outside of those as extra playing opportunities,” he said. The lack of a clear, full schedule made it hard for a professional golfer to plan a year.
“For me 10 events is not enough to build a season around.” This short calendar left Herbert with few options. He had to either stay with LIV or find a way back to the DP World Tour. With the PGA Tour still imposing 12-month bans on anyone who plays in a LIV event, there was no middle ground. Herbert chose to rejoin the European circuit to get the volume of play he needs.
Gratitude for the LIV Experience
Despite leaving, Herbert spoke highly of his time in the league. He credited the environment and his teammates for helping him grow. He spent nearly three years with the group, learning from some of the best players in the world. He mentioned specific names like Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, and Elvis Smylie as key figures in his journey.
“I feel I have been incredibly lucky to get the opportunities I have. To spend so much time around Cam and Leish, Jonesy (Matt Jones) and Elvis, as well,” he said. He valued the chance to learn from these veterans and create a fun atmosphere. Herbert described the environment as really cool and said he felt incredibly fortunate to have had that opportunity.
“To be able to learn so much from those guys, create a really cool environment that we had, for the best part of three years. I just feel incredibly fortunate to have had that opportunity.” His departure is not a rejection of the people he played with but a move driven by his own competitive needs. He won two LIV events in 2026, showing he could succeed in the format.
Herbert is the only Australian to confirm his exit so far. The situation remains uncertain for other big names in the group. Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman have not yet announced their plans for the 2027 season. Elvis Smylie is also part of the group considering his options. The pressure is on as deadlines for the new LIV 2.0 version approach.
The move by Herbert could signal a shift in how players view their futures. If a player can compete in majors, they may prefer that over the guaranteed money from LIV. The DP World Tour is preparing to welcome back former players, but the process involves resolving contractual issues. Herbert’s path shows that leaving LIV is possible if a player is willing to navigate the rules.
Other players on the DP World Tour may face discontent next year as LIV alumni return. The tour will have to manage the influx of talent while maintaining its own schedule. Herbert’s choice highlights the tension between the two leagues. The desire to play in majors remains the strongest pull for many top golfers. For Herbert, the fire to compete in the biggest events won out over the comfort of the rebel league.
