LIV Golf has lost another major champion from its roster after Graeme McDowell announced he would play no part in LIV 2.0 as the embattled league reaches crunch time in its survival fight

Graeme McDowell is the latest player to confirm he is leaving LIV Golf as the embattled league struggles to retain its members.

The 2010 U.S. Open champion joined LIV as a founding member in 2022, but he has walked away with the league on the brink of collapse. McDowell was a member of the recently rebranded Oklahoma Golf Club, and he had been a passionate advocate for the breakaway league, but he wants no part of "LIV 2.0."

LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September after being ditched by its backer, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. LIV hopes to restructure and relaunch in the coming weeks, powered by a $300 million financing agreement from the private equity firm BC Partners. But getting buy-in from players has been a struggle, with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton among the top stars to call it quits.

McDowell made the announcement on social media on Monday, telling followers: "I've decided not to pursue LIV 2.0.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had over the last four years and want to thank everyone who has been part of that journey. I look forward to the next chapter in my career."

McDowell's departure follows announcements from Hatton, Ian Poulter, Louis Oosthuizen and Tom McKibbin, who confirmed last week that they are done with LIV.

BC Partners had given players a soft deadline of yesterday to register their commitment to LIV 2.0, which passed without top stars pledging their future to the league. But the true deadline is Friday, a date set by the PIF for a decision on whether the league is restructured or wound down.

Aged 47, McDowell's prime years are behind him, but he is eyeing a return to the DP World Tour after four years away. The Northern Irishman confirmed earlier this year that he was pursuing a return to the European circuit.

At the time, he might have hoped to play on both the DP World Tour and LIV, but the former has made it clear that from next month, players must choose where their future lies and can no longer enjoy the best of both worlds.

McDowell is an 11-time winner on the DP World Tour and starred in three European Ryder Cup victories. It is the tour where he made his name, and he made clear in June that he wanted to return.

"I'd like to take my European tour membership back up potentially again in '27 if I feel like I can do a good enough job for them, whilst doing the job that I want to do for LIV golf as well," he said.

"So we'll see. TBD. I think the fact that lines of communication are open, player deals were had, is definitely a step in the right direction."

By quitting LIV, McDowell also opens up the route of competing on the PGA Tour's over-50s circuit once he is eligible.