Departing DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has delivered a parting dagger to LIV Golf’s contingent of European Ryder Cup legends.
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, who is leaving his position, stated that it was purely a business decision to enforce severe penalties on Ryder Cup veterans Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Sergio Garcia for their involvement with LIV Golf.
Pelley stated in a recent interview with the Times of London that the resolution of golf’s civil war is unavoidable.
“He did not specify when exactly that date may be, but the Canadian believes it could occur within the next six months, a year, two years, or possibly even 10 years from now.”
Over the course of the interview Pelley:
Insisted he had no regrets over his tenure
Claimed under his leadership the DP World Tour was ‘rebuilt’
He would have loved to have seen the job through but the allure of leading Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment was too much of a draw
Rory McIlroy was the player he ‘leaned on’ the most over the last two years
He’s proud the Tour came out of the pandemic in a strong economic position
References to the ‘Malta meeting’ irritate him – “The rumours almost became factual”
Said the criticism of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is ‘unfounded’
He’s convinced the major championship questions will go away after the game is unified
The personal highlight of his tenure was seeing his son celebrate the 2018 Ryder Cup with England’s Tommy Fleetwood.
One of the biggest talking points of the last two years was the way the European-based circuit handled LIV Golf.
Pelley sought to ban and fine the players who wanted to play in LIV events without tournament releases.
The decision sparked a protracted legal battle of which the Tour was ultimately victorious.
Sergio Garcia has reportedly refused to pay his fines and owes £1,000,000 if he wants to make a return to the Tour.
The aforementioned European Ryder Cup stalwarts have made no secret of their disdain for their from the Tour where they have made their names.
Poulter, for example, appears to have taken particular displeasure with Pelley.
In early January, Poulter wrote on Instagram: “Being two faced is a terrible trait.
“I’d be embarrassed having to change my story now and come out and try and look smart.
“I’m happy to sit down and have it out. I will happily say it as it is. Enough of the bull—-.”
Although he didn’t name Pelley, it was widely accepted the Postman’s remarks were aimed at the chief executive.
Poulter has since stated his Ryder Cup days are behind him unless changes are made. He also went nuclear on another topic.
Asked about the likes of Poulter, Pelley told the paper:
“I have no problem with anybody making a decision about what is best for them but I don’t want them to begrudge the decisions we made in the best interest of the tour.”
He said he currently has no relationship with the players, adding: “It’s just business, it’s not a popularity contest.
“Some players on this side think we weren’t hard enough on them.”
You can read the full interview here.
What do you make of Pelley’s remarks? What will his legacy be?