South African golfer Branden Grace has left LIV Golf to return full-time to the DP World Tour for the 2026/27 season, following captain Louis Oosthuizen out of the breakaway circuit just days ahead of a critical funding deadline.
The exodus from LIV Golf’s Southern Guards setup continues as Branden Grace confirmed his departure, making him the second player in a matter of days to walk away from the team. Grace’s exit follows that of his former skipper, Louis Oosthuizen, who called quitting the breakaway tour the hardest decision
of his career. The back-to-back departures leave only Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester remaining on the Southern Guards roster, with neither player announcing their future plans as an approaching deadline looms.
Branden Grace Returns to the DP World Tour
Grace joined the breakaway circuit as one of its original signings in 2022. During that initial existence of the team tour, he secured a victory at the Portland event in 2022 and accumulated more than $38 million in earnings, placing him 10th on the list of earners. His professional resume includes 15 victories worldwide, featuring two PGA Tour titles alongside major European circuit triumphs such as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the Nedbank Golf Challenge, the Investec SA Open, and the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek. In addition to these professional achievements, his international resume features a flawless 5-0-0 record representing the International Team at the 2015 Presidents Cup.
The 38-year-old brings an extensive championship record back to the European-based circuit, including nine DP World Tour titles, two PGA Tour wins, and the historic distinction of shooting the lowest single-round score in men’s major championship history with a 62 at the 2017 Open Championship. He has already made his return to action at the Hong Kong Open at Fanling, where he notably competed without his Southern Guards apparel.
🚨❌⛳️ JUST IN — 9-time DP World Tour winner Branden Grace announces that he is leaving LIV Golf to pursue a schedule on the European Circuit. Grace was a member of The Southern Guards, so this departure marks the 2nd player from the team to exit the league this week after Louis… pic.twitter.com/yZnkiw3V74
Returning to the DP World Tour feels like coming home. Some of the proudest moments of my career have happened on this Tour, from my four-time win breakthrough season in 2012 to winning the Investec South African Open in front of home fans. I am hungrier than ever to compete and write the next chapter of my career on the global stage.
Branden Grace, via News24
Reflecting on his tenure with the breakaway league, Grace expressed appreciation for the bonds formed while traveling internationally. My time on the LIV Tour was a memorable chapter, especially getting to travel the world and compete alongside some of my closest friends in the game,
Grace said in a statement, adding that the camaraderie and lifelong friendships shared on and off the course are memories he will cherish.
Ian Poulter and Other Stars Exit LIV Golf
Grace’s announcement coincided with departures across the circuit. Former world number five Ian Poulter confirmed his exit from LIV Golf. Poulter served as co-captain of the Majesticks team alongside fellow Englishman and Ryder Cup icon Lee Westwood, whose future plans remain unclear. Poulter acknowledged that the breakaway circuit has clearly divided opinion
since its inception, though he stated he will remain forever proud of his involvement with the founding group.
Change is never easy and it’s fair to say professional golf has experienced plenty of it over the last few years. But I’ve always believed that change can create opportunity and ultimately lead to positive outcomes.
Ian Poulter, via BBC
Poulter also remarked that while additional changes lie ahead, he remains confident that the sport will continue to grow, evolve, and deliver quality experiences for fans worldwide. Other high-profile exits include two-time major winner Jon Rahm giving up a reported £75m owed to him by LIV after reaching a separation agreement, alongside departures from Abraham Ancer and David Puig, while Sergio Garcia, Thomas Pieters, Tom McKibbin, Laurie Canter, and Adrian Meronk appear unlikely to stay. Meanwhile, players such as Richard Bland, Cameron Tringale, and Brendan Steele have committed to the second phase of the breakaway circuit.
Deadline Approaches for Remaining Southern Guards Players
As Grace utilizes his status as a former champion alongside his Sunshine Tour playing rights for the 2026/27 season starting in late November, attention turns to the remaining members of his former team. Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester are left as the only active players on the Southern Guards roster, leaving their immediate competitive futures open as the deadline approaches.
