Ryder Cup legend admits he is unemployed after LIV Golf uncertainty

Lee Westwood has lifted the lid on his playing future, revealing he has yet to sign a contract with LIV Golf's proposed new set-up and is also undecided about whether to return to the DP World Tour.

The former World No.1, who previously terminated his DP World Tour membership shortly after joining LIV Golf, now faces a potentially lengthy route back should he decide to return to the European circuit.

Speaking on The Chipping Forecast podcast, Westwood, 53, was refreshingly honest about his current situation.

"I currently am unemployed. I haven't signed up to anything anywhere. So, yeah, I haven't made a decision on anything yet," he explained.

It leaves one of European golf's most recognisable figures in an unusual position, with no confirmed professional tour to compete on as things stand.

Westwood facing DP World Tour suspension if he returns

A return to the DP World Tour remains an option, although the 25-time European Tour winner would have to accept a 10-tournament suspension because of his previous decision to resign his membership.

He would need to notify Wentworth HQ by November 12 if he intends to rejoin for the 2027 season.

However, even if he meets that deadline, the suspension would significantly affect his schedule.

Westwood explained that he has already looked at the potential consequences of returning, with the punishment likely to rule him out until the early part of May.

"I know that if I sign up on the 12th of November, I've then got to serve a 10-tournament suspension, which takes me through the South African Open," he said.

"I've looked at the schedule after that. I feel like the first event I could play on the European Tour would be maybe Turkey, which is the first week in May. So I haven't looked any further than that."

That could mean a lengthy wait before Westwood makes his first DP World Tour appearance, should he ultimately decide that a return is the right move.

No LIV Golf 2.0 agreement for Westwood

The 53-year-old also addressed speculation surrounding LIV Golf's future, making it clear that he has not committed to the proposed LIV 2.0 structure.

Despite discussions around the league's next chapter, Westwood claims he has not received an offer that he considers acceptable.

He also suggested there are still important details that need resolving before he could consider committing to the project.

"There's nothing been presented to me that was agreeable for LIV 2.0. There's still a lot of things on that that would need fine tuning," Westwood revealed.

"Deadlines have come and gone, and I've heard nothing, whether I have to sign or I don't have to sign."

Westwood was equally clear when discussing reports about the agreements associated with the new LIV structure.

"I haven't signed 2.0. I haven't signed anything. This RSA everybody talks about, I haven't signed that. So literally, I'm unemployed."

His comments underline just how uncertain the immediate future remains for the former Ryder Cup star, who has yet to commit to either of the major professional tours on which he could potentially compete.

Westwood is not the only Ryder Cup legend facing an uncertain future, either. His former Majesticks GC teammate Ian Poulter confirmed last month that he had quit LIV Golf, ruling himself out of a return for LIV 2.0.

It remains to be seen whether Poulter will attempt to return to the DP World Tour, having previously resigned his membership to join LIV Golf. The Englishman has, however, made his position on the league's proposed new chapter clear.

Other European Ryder Cup stars to confirm their LIV Golf departures include Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, both of whom previously represented Legion XIII.

Rahm spoke to reporters ahead of this week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links, where he is making his first competitive appearance since confirming his LIV Golf exit.

The two-time major champion admitted he would likely accept the same terms and penalties as Brooks Koepka if a route back to the PGA Tour became available. However, Rahm believes that possibility is unlikely, with a full season on the DP World Tour in 2027 now appearing to be his most realistic option – something he says he is very much looking forward to.

Westwood reveals first tournaments he could play in 2027

While his professional future remains unresolved, Westwood has at least identified a couple of potential appearances that could feature on his calendar next year.

Interestingly, the first tournament on his radar is not a professional event.

Westwood revealed that he intends to enter the Sunningdale Foursomes in March 2027 alongside his son, Sam.

He also mentioned the possibility of competing in the PGA Senior Championship in Florida, which takes place the week after the Masters.

Those two events could provide the opening chapter of his 2027 golfing schedule before a possible return to the DP World Tour later in the spring.

"And I've looked at the start of next year, and I'm going to enter the Sunningdale Foursomes with Sam, my son, first week in March," Westwood said.

"And then there's a senior's event the week after the Masters, PGA Senior's Championship in Florida. So that might be the first two tournaments that I play before teaming up in Turkey if I did re-sign with the European Tour, but I'm not even sure about that."

For now, Westwood appears content to keep his options open rather than rush into a decision that could shape the remainder of his playing career.

His comments will inevitably raise further questions about the future of LIV Golf and the possibility of established names returning to the DP World Tour.

One thing, however, is certain: despite his illustrious career and status as one of Europe's most successful Ryder Cup players, Westwood currently has no confirmed professional playing commitments for 2027.

And with the November 12 DP World Tour deadline approaching, he may not have too much longer to decide which direction he wants to take.