Report: DP World Tour wins case against LIV golfers

The DP World Tour has reportedly won its arbitration battle with LIV golfers.  

According to The Times, an official announcement about the outcome of February’s hearing could be revealed on Thursday, just as the first round of The Masters is getting under way. 

As a result of this verdict, the £100,000 fines imposed upon DP World Tour members who played in LIV Golf’s inaugural event near London last year will be upheld. They will also be eligible for further sanctions – including fines and suspensions – going forward.  

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It also virtually assures an end to the Ryder Cup careers of various European golfers who have aligned with LIV, including Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer, as well as Paul Casey, Thomas Pieters and Bernd Wiesberger.  

Not only that, LIV players looking to play on DP World Tour events in order to gain world ranking points will also likely be unable to do so.  

That means that, going forward, there will be no repeat of the scene in Dubai earlier this year where Rory McIlroy and LIV-based Patrick Reed went toe-to-toe in a thrilling final round. 

The news is bound to come as a bitter blow to the Saudi-funded circuit in its ongoing fight for both relevancy and legitimacy.  

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Last weekend, it staged the third of 14 tournaments it has scheduled for this year. However, its fight for world ranking points is ongoing. Without being able to secure points via the DP World Tour, LIV golfers will now have to rely either upon strong performances in the major championships or the Asian Tour.  

So far, there has been no comment from LIV regarding the claims in The Times report. 

A DP World Tour spokesperson said: “Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process conducted by Sport Resolutions, we will make no comment on any aspect of the arbitration until the decision is formally announced.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor