LIV Golf rebel Bernd Wiesberger has been accepted into next year’s DP World Tour, but faces a hefty financial penalty.
LIV Golf has bailed out former Ryder Cup star Bernd Wisberger, who was reportedly fined £1.5 million after applying to be reinstated on the DP World Tour. The Austrian was one of the European Ryder Cup stars who “betrayed” Rory McIlroy by joining the breakaway group and scoring a big win.
The Austrian golfer has lost his place at LIV Golf and has decided not to participate in the LIV Golf Q School event in Abu Dhabi next month. Wiesberger also turned down the chance to participate in the free agent phase of the Saudi-backed series, where he could have been selected by the team captain.
When the Norwegian moved to LIV Golf, Saudi leaders promised he could continue playing on the DP World Tour in his home country and would pay any fines imposed. However, subsequent court hearings ruled against this view, and the rebels were left in the dark.
Wiesberger did not withdraw from the European-based tour, but he lost his membership after playing in just two of last season’s events. This year’s application for membership was accepted on the condition that he pay a £1.5 million fine and complete his suspension until January.
The Telegraph reports that LIV Golf will increase its record fine of £1.5m despite the player being released from the playing circle. After two seasons in the breakaway series, where he won £3.5 million in prize money, the Austrian announced his place on the DP World Tour on social media.
He said: “I’m happy to announce that my focus for next year is solely on the DP World Tour. I’ve never canceled my membership, so I’m excited to do the full program again. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play.
“This includes the traditional national championships, which are a big part of the tour and where I’ve had some success in the past. I’m looking forward to playing and of course restarting the series in Dubai in January.
Last year McIlroy told the Guardian that he felt ‘betrayal’ from those European players who faced missing the Ryder Cup due to join the breakaway series. Wiesberger was one of LIV Golf’s rebels when Europe defeated America in Rome.