As the league moves to finalize its 2027 roster under pressure, Lucas Herbert has become the first Australian to confirm his departure from LIV Golf. The move comes after Herbert realized that competing in majors was his true priority, a goal that the rebel league could not support under its current structure. While Cameron Smith and other high-profile Aussies remain in limbo, Herbert has already made his choice clear. He is set to return to the PGA Tour of Australasia next week for the NSW Open.
Herbert spoke on the Tee It Up podcast to explain his reasoning, stating he has “no regrets” about joining the Saudi-backed circuit initially. He acknowledged the value of his time there, noting the friendships formed with peers like Cam Smith, Marc Leishman, and Matt Jones. “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 during the interview reported by Fox Sports. He added that the environment allowed him to learn and grow, describing it as a “really cool environment that we had, for the best part of three years.”
The Major Contention Epiphany
The turning point for Herbert occurred during his performance at The Open Championship. According to Fox Sports, the experience of leading a major tournament sparked a realization that conflicted with the LIV model. Herbert recalled the week he spent in contention at The Open, calling it “incredible.” This feeling of being on the biggest stage made him question if the limited schedule of the rebel league was sufficient for his career goals.
He emphasized that financial gain was not the driving factor behind his exit. “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 told the podcast. The desire to compete in the four majors every year proved incompatible with the LIV contract, which required players to wear team uniforms and limited their ability to enter traditional tour events without facing bans.
Schedule Limitations and Future Paths
Herbert highlighted the structural issues within LIV Golf’s planned schedule for the upcoming season as a primary reason for his exit. The league reportedly told players the season would consist of only ten tournaments, with vague promises of additional “extra playing opportunities.” Herbert found this insufficient for a professional career.
He was blunt about the math, stating, “For me 10 events is not enough to build a season around.” This lack of competitive volume forced him to look elsewhere. The PGA Tour of Australasia offers a more traditional schedule, and Herbert is ready to resume play there. His decision also comes as other players face hurdles trying to qualify for the DP World Tour. Golf Monthly reported that several former LIV players, including Michael La Sasso and Sam Horsfield, failed to advance through Q-School, closing off one potential route for others looking to return to traditional tours.
With his exit confirmed, Herbert is shifting his focus entirely to the PGA Tour of Australasia. He is scheduled to make his next start at the NSW Open, which begins when the tour resumes next week. This return marks a fresh chapter for the golfer who won two LIV events in 2026. While the future of LIV remains uncertain and other Australians like Smith and Leishman are still deciding their paths, Herbert has secured his own competitive future.
