LIV's Otaegui vows to fight for Ryder Cup space: "Why can't we be friends?!"

Adrian Otaegui, who is a member of the DP World Tour and has teed it up in LIV Golf events, has spoken of his Ryder Cup aspirations.

Ben Smith

27 Oct 2022

LIV's Otaegui vows to fight for Ryder Cup space: "Why can't we be friends?!" — LIV's Otaegui vows to fight for Ryder Cup space: "Why can't we be friends?…

Adrian Otaegui likely ruffled some feathers at DP World Tour HQ when he won at Valderrama a few weeks ago because he has teed it up on the LIV Golf Tour.

His victory at the Andalucia Masters also launched him into the top six for Ryder Cup qualifying, making him one of the candidates for Luke Donald's side that will head to Rome next September.

Make no mistake, the DP World Tour do not want LIV Golf players involved in their tournaments owing to their "strategic alliance" with the PGA Tour.

LIV's Otaegui vows to fight for Ryder Cup space:

The DP World Tour previously took strong action after their members teed it up in LIV Golf's inaugural event at Centurion Club in June.

They fined them £100,000 and suspended them from participating in three co-sanctioned events with their American counterparts.

Otageui was one of them. The Spaniard, Ian Poulter and Justin Harding took legal action against the DP World Tour and got their bans overturned.

For now, LIV players have returned to the DP World Tour and their status on the former European Tour will be determined next February.

Otaegui, 29, told GolfDigest of his Ryder Cup prospects:

"Making the Ryder Cup team is my big goal for 2023. It's been a dream of mine since I was a child. I'm going to fight to try and qualify on the golf course.

"The way I see it, we all have different points of view, but we should be able to remain friends and [play on the same team]. I'm not fazed by what has been said so far."

Even if he is does get on the team, it's unclear how his inclusion will be received.

The likes of Rory McIlroy won't be too pleased. Donald believes any LIV Golf animosity will be swept aside when the two sides meet.

Jon Rahm has recently said he believes LIV Golf players should be allowed to participate in Rome.

Otaegui continued:

"Obviously, everyone is free to have an opinion. Some people, fans and friends, have been supportive. But some people have not been so happy.

"There are all kinds of opinions. Some people were not so keen [on me playing LIV] before [LIV's inaugural tournament] in London but since then they have realised this is a tour that's going to be here for a while."

Otaegui will be in the field this week for LIV Golf's season-ending team championship in Miami.

There is a prize purse of $50m and Otaegui is playing in the Torque GC side, captained by Joaquin Niemann. Jed Morgan and Scott Vincent are also in the team.

The winning team at Trump National Doral will split $16m.

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