LIV Golf star reveals why he quit the league: 'People will think I'm talking a load of crap'

Lucas Herbert has lifted the lid on his LIV Golf departure, and his explanation makes for uncomfortable reading for the breakaway league. 

With LIV preparing for a major overhaul in 2027, the 30-year-old Australian has revealed why its proposed schedule failed to convince him to stay, while insisting money had little to do with his decision.

Herbert is among a growing list of high-profile names to walk away, with Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Sergio Garcia also announcing their departures in recent weeks.

• LIV 2.0: Which players are staying, leaving or undecided?

Following the withdrawal of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and LIV's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in September, the league faces an uphill battle to convince players its future is worth committing to.

Now Herbert has explained exactly what he wants from the next chapter of his career, which no longer involves LIV Golf. 

Lucas Herbert questions LIV Golf's 2027 schedule

LIV Golf's 2026 season ended up comprising 12 events across 10 countries, with its season-ending Team Championship cancelled amid uncertainty surrounding the league's future.

While the LIV 2.0 schedule has yet to be confirmed, Herbert believes it could feature just 10 tournaments.

And that simply isn't enough for the man who was representing Cameron Smith's Ripper GC.

"From what it sounds like, it'll be 10 tournaments. They're telling us that there's going to be potentially more events to play outside of those as extra playing opportunities," Herbert said on the Tee It Up podcast.

"I'm unsure how they're going to make that work. I'm unsure what kind of fields those are going to be.

"10 events is not enough to build a season around.

"You could maybe sneak a couple more in there, but the more you play, the sort of lower quality they are. It's quality over quantity.

"And it's not going to give me enough access to the majors, which right now, that's the priority of my career."

Herbert's comments highlight a significant challenge for LIV as it attempts to rebuild. Attracting players who prioritise major championship opportunities could prove difficult if its new schedule offers limited opportunities to compete at the highest level.

Money wasn't behind Herbert's LIV Golf exit

Financial uncertainty has also surrounded LIV following its bankruptcy proceedings, with several players reportedly still owed substantial sums.

Herbert was owed more than $1m as an unsecured creditor, while Rahm was reportedly due $7.5m. 

Smith, Adrian Meronk and Dustin Johnson were also reportedly owed between $4m and $5.5m.

However, Herbert insists money was not the reason he decided to leave.

"I'm not super caught up in how much money I play for, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of people who listen to this will think that I'm talking a load of crap.

"But genuinely, for me, I wanted to see my game improve, I wanted to give myself the best chance to play well in majors and compete in majors and have opportunities like I had at Birkdale this year."

Watch Herbert's comments in full here:

Herbert enjoyed an impressive Open Championship at Royal Birkdale during the summer, shooting a record-equalling 62 before finishing in a tie for sixth.

That performance underlined his ability to compete on golf's biggest stage, and it is clear he wants more opportunities to do exactly that.

Rather than chasing financial rewards, the Australian is prioritising his development and ambitions in the majors.

Herbert returns to action at next week's NSW Open as he begins the next chapter of his career away from LIV Golf.