Abraham Ancer Left LIV Golf for DP World Tour
Abraham Ancer confirmed he will not renew his contract with the struggling golf league to rejoin the DP World Tour in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Golf
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Abraham Ancer has decided against renewing his LIV Golf contract ahead of the October 25 deadline for player commitments. The professional golfer plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2027 amid the league's ongoing restructuring.
Why it matters
The move reflects the tightening restrictions between rival circuits, as the DP World Tour has mandated that players choose between its membership and the rebranded LIV Golf 2.0. LIV Golf itself is navigating an uncertain future following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and the loss of funding from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Ancer finished 11th on the 2026 LIV Golf money list, earning over $5.6 million across 12 events. The league currently seeks a $300 million capital injection from BC Partners to facilitate its relaunch.
The players
Abraham Ancer
He is a professional golfer who previously won the 2021 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.
Guy Kinnings
He serves as the CEO of the DP World Tour and has enforced policies regarding league exclusivity.
BC Partners
This investment firm has proposed a $300 million plan to revive the bankrupt LIV Golf organization.
The details
Ancer, who won an individual title in Hong Kong in 2024, has struggled recently and is set to undergo back surgery following his announcement on August 28, 2026. His departure comes as the DP World Tour strictly prohibits dual membership for those joining the new iteration of the Saudi-backed league.
Timeline
Ancer won the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2021.
Perficient ended its sponsorship agreement in June 2022.
Ancer secured an individual victory in Hong Kong in 2024.
The golfer announced he would undergo back surgery on August 28, 2026.
Players must finalize their league status decisions by October 25, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The departure of established stars like Ancer signals a consolidation of the professional golf landscape under the DP World Tour's 2027 league membership exclusivity policy. This shift forces players to abandon the fragmented LIV Golf model to maintain their eligibility for traditional European circuit events.
Ancer's move to the DP World Tour confirms he will not be part of the proposed LIV Golf 2.0 roster for 2027. His availability for future tournaments remains contingent on his recovery from upcoming back surgery.
The takeaway
Professional golfers currently face career-defining choices as the LIV Golf entity attempts to navigate bankruptcy and insolvency. Athletes must weigh potential financial windfalls against the long-term stability and eligibility requirements of established international tours.
What happens next
LIV Golf players are required to submit their final league participation decisions by October 25, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of international golf, see our Golf section.
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