Report: LIV Golf players fined by DPWT 24 hours (!) after PGA Tour-PIF merger

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has sent a memo to the membership attempting to clear up the Ryder Cup and the LIV Golf fine issues.

Ben Smith

09 Jun 2023

Report: LIV Golf players fined by DPWT 24 hours (!) after PGA Tour-PIF merger

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has attempted to address some of the complex issues that have arisen in the wake of the PGA Tour's shock decision to create a new venture with LIV Golf's Saudi backers.

It would be something of an understatement to suggest Pelley has had an interesting couple of years as the boss of the European-based circuit.

Even before LIV got off the ground Pelley is said to have met with representatives from Golf Saudi in July 2021 after they got wind of plans to create a new global tour, backed by the Public Investment Fund.

According to bunkered's Michael McEwan, this meeting was staged in Malta and LIV Golf was then known as Super League Golf.

Of course, we now know that Pelley and DP World Tour officials chose to walk away from that deal and instead strengthen their ties with the PGA Tour.

Fines, suspensions, legal battles and a bitter public war of words followed.

A number of Ryder Cup legends appeared to bring their careers with their home circuit and the biennial dust-up to an anti-climactic end.

This week's stunning deal appears to have changed things considerably in the landscape of men's professional golf.

So what now? Will the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson be able to make a speedy return?

Pelley has reportedly sent a memo to the DP World Tour membership this week stating:

"The suspensions and fines previously imposed remain effective. Members playing the LIV Golf events in 2023 will still need to request a release from us and are still governed by our regulations.

"If a release isn't granted and they play, they may be sanctioned in accordance with the regulations and the Sports Resolutions decision that was released in April."

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DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley has insisted he has 'no regrets' over the circuit previously hosting the Saudi International.
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— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) April 27, 2023

Those who resigned had until 1 May to reapply for their memberships. A reapplication is something which Pelley said would be accepted under an 'exceptional circumstance'.

Pelley wrote it would be 'difficult and highly unlikely that would happen'.

And according to SI's Bob Harig, no sooner than 24 hours after the merger was announced did the DP World Tour issue fines for several players relating to their events in Singapore, Australia and Tulsa.

A tour pro told Harig:

"More fines arrived today for several players relating to Australia, Singapore and Tulsa from the DP World Tour. [It] suggests Europe will not be changing any of their stances on LIV anytime soon and adds to the many questions this merger has created."

So, essentially, the Ryder Cup will likely look no different than before the merger was announced. The players who resigned their DP World Tour memberships are: