Englishman Lee Westwood has been forced to withdraw from the opening two events of the 2026 LIV Golf season due to a wrist injury.
The 52-year-old confirmed on Monday that he has pulled out of this week’s season opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as next week’s tournament in Adelaide, Australia, as he manages the issue early in the new season.
Westwood, who co-captains Majesticks GC alongside fellow Englishman Ian Poulter, was due to feature at Riyadh Golf Club, where the opening LIV event will be played under lights from Wednesday. He has instead set his sights on a return at the LIV Golf Hong Kong tournament, scheduled for 5-8 March.
Unfortunately I won’t be in Riyadh or Adelaide for the start of the @livgolf_league season but I will be supporting @MajesticksGC from afar🇬🇧💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/1JOc5Zg5mn
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 2, 2026
“Thankfully, it’s nothing too serious; however, I’ve been advised to manage my rep count over the coming weeks,” Westwood wrote on social media. “I look forward to starting my season in Hong Kong and wish Majesticks Golf Club all the best under the lights and Down Under.”
DP World Tour member Ben Schmidt has been named as Westwood’s replacement for the Riyadh event.
According to a report by Bunkered, the European-based tour may take disciplinary action against Schmidt, a 23-year-old Englishman, as he has not been granted a formal release to compete in LIV Golf events. Riyadh will mark Schmidt’s first appearance on the Saudi-backed circuit.
A veteran of European golf for more than three decades, Westwood joined LIV Golf when the league launched in 2022. He is a former world No 1 and a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, with more than 40 professional victories worldwide, including the 2018 Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City.
Last season, Westwood narrowly avoided relegation from LIV, finishing 46th in the individual standings.
Photo: Justin Casterline/Getty Images
