According to a report, the DP World Tour has issued warnings to members thinking of playing in LIV Golf’s promotions event without a tournament release.
If a member of the DP World Tour shows up for the event without a release, they risk fines or suspension for participating in LIV Golf’s qualifying school in December.
According to a memo obtained by The Times of London, participants in the European circuit have 24 hours to request authorization.
LIV Golf’s promotions event will be held over 8-10 December, awarding three places into the 2024 LIV Golf League.
The schedule for the rival league’s third campaign has not been released but on 8 November details were confirmed over the breakaway’s transfer market and free agency.
LIV is widely expected to announce a similar schedule with 14 global events. Players who compete in LIV can expect to earn a minimum of £1.3m in one season, making it a tantalising opportunity for any disenfranchised rank-and-file members of the tour.
The decision by the Old World circuit is completely at odds with the PGA Tour’s in this regard.
It was confirmed by Sports Illustrated last week the North American circuit wouldn’t prohibit any of their members from playing.
The promotions event clashes with the Alfred Dunhill Links. The memo stated DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley will ultimately make the decision whether to grant releases.
In full, the memo read:
“If you take up membership for the 2024 season and wish to play in any tournament other than the Alfred Dunhill Championship (and which is therefore a conflicting tournament as defined in the regulations), then, in accordance with the regulations and unless the stated exceptions applies, you must apply in writing for a release to play in that conflicting tournament by no later than 8 November 2023.
The chief executive [Keith Pelley] will determine whether or not to grant a release and his decision will be communicated directly to the applicable player.”
The decision brings back memories of LIV’s inaugural event last June.
European legends like Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were banned and given hefty fines for playing in the first ever LIV tournament at Centurion Club just outside of London.
After a drawn-out court battle, a sports arbiter ultimately decided against the golfers.
They then cancelled their subscriptions to their local circuit.
Westwood and Poulter both acknowledged that they have paid the fines associated with the ruling.
The DP World Tour claimed that Garcia was the only player who had unpaid fines. Later, it was revealed that he made an odd, desperate attempt to qualify for the 2023 Ryder Cup by offering to pay up.