DPWT insider slams 'dire' PGA Tour alliance: "Too many nothing players!"

A DP World Tour 'insider' has called for the European-based circuit to 'escape the clutches' of the PGA Tour.

11 Apr 2023

DPWT insider slams 'dire' PGA Tour alliance: "Too many nothing players!"

A DP World Tour 'insider' has called for the European-based circuit to 'escape the clutches' of the PGA Tour despite winning their arbitration case against LIV Golf players.

The insider made the comments to GolfDigest reporter John Huggan in a piece looking at the future of the circuit after Sports Resolutions UK announced its verdict on the eve of the 2023 Masters.

LIV players who were sanctioned last June by the DP World were told their £100,000 fines would be upheld and must be paid within 30 days.

The decision appears to result in the glittering Ryder Cup careers of the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Graeme McDowell coming to an abrupt end.

DPWT insider slams 'dire' PGA Tour alliance:

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley was quick to hail the decision as a success but questions, to some, remain unanswered about the future of the former European Tour.

Primarily, to do with their so-called 'strategic alliance' which was strengthened last June when LIV Golf launched.

The alliance will run through to 2035 but beyond co-sanctioning the Genesis Scottish Open, Baraccuda and Barbasol Championship, some have asked what exactly the DP World are getting in return.

The PGA Tour has also increased its existing stake in European Tour Productions from 15 to 40 per cent and the leading 10 players on the end of season DP World Tour Rankings [in addition to those already exempt] will earn PGA Tour cards for the following season.

This alliance only benefits one side, Westwood has previously argued.

One insider reportedly told Huggan:

"The idea the tour won the arbitration is suddenly greater than the reality that they need to look at their product. The DPWT is weaker than at any stage in its history. Too many 'nothing' events. Too many 'nothing players' competing for close to nothing, with close to nobody watching in person or on TV. It's a dire state of affairs. They need to escape the clutches of the PGA Tour. That needs to be priority one. I just don't see any benefit to that other than to the PGA Tour."

Scroll down...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by . (@golfmagic)

Not everyone is in agreement with this position though. Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, suggested the PGA wants the DP World to succeed for 'commercial reasons'. 'If we win, they win," he said.

McGinley previously stated that criticism of the alliance 'hurt'.

A number of LIV players were also asked about the arbitration decision at Augusta National.

The aforementioned Garcia snapped at a reporter when asked whilst Belgium's Thomas Pieters - who left his driver in a bin at Augusta - appeared more at peace with the idea of never teeing it up in DP World Tour events ever again.

"You guys need to stop it...you guys are making a big deal out of this"
Sergio Garcia blames the media for the ongoing storyline of the conflict between golfers on the PGA Tour & LIV Golf #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/JjnUZZZrY0
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) April 6, 2023