Why 8 LIV Golf stars are about to play on DP World Tour

Uncertainty and division still reign in men’s professional golf. 

That much was proven in a recent memo sent out to DP World Tour players, issuing threats of fines and suspensions for those wishing to enter the LIV Golf Promotions Event next month.

The European circuit has asked for releases for players hoping to grab one of three spots at LIV’s Q School in Abu Dhabi, which clashes with the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

However, there are no such problems when there is no “conflicting tournament”, and a number of LIV players have raised eyebrows by committing to DP World Tour events during the Saudi-funded league’s lengthy offseason.

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Branden Grace played in the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City on a sponsor’s invite, and the South African will be joined by seven other players who have competed in the LIV series on the DP World Tour this week.

Grace has been offered an exemption into the Joburg Open, which is co-sanctioned with the Sunshine Tour in his homeland. He will be joined in Johannesburg by his Stingers GC teammates Charl Schwartzel and Dean Burmester.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Open champ Cam Smith will headline the field at the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship, which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour Australasia.

Smith is exempt as a past winner of the event, just like his countryman Jediah Morgan, who created a piece of unwanted history by becoming one of the first LIV players to get relegated this year.

Aussies Marc Leishman, Smith’s teammate at Ripper GC, has accepted an invite to play. Wade Ormsby, who was axed after the inaugural LIV season, will also compete.

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Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira are making the trip down under in what represents a rate opportunity to claim some world ranking points.

And Englishman Laurie Canter, who has featured for the Majesticks GC this season in the absence of Sam Horsfield, has paid his fines and suspensions is eligible due to his place in the Race to Dubai rankings.

Here is a full list of LIV players who are teeing it up in events sanctioned by the DP World Tour this week, as well as the circuit’s exemption reasons…

LIV Golf players competing on DP World Tour

Fortinet Australian PGA Championship

Cameron Smith (Past champion)

Jediah Morgan (Past champion)

Marc Leishman (Invite)

Wade Ormsby (Invite)

Joaquin Niemann (National Spots)

Mito Pereira (National spots)

Laurie Canter (Finished between 117-123 in the 2023 Race to Dubai)

Joburg Open

Branden Grace (National spots)

Charl Schwartzel (National spots)

Dean Burmester (National spots)

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.