Ryder Cup Europe director provides update on futures of LIV Golf players

Ryder Cup Europe director Guy Kinnings has provided an update on the LIV Golf players' futures in the event with legal issues going on behind-the-scenes.

Ben Smith's picture
Tue, 2 Aug 2022
Ryder Cup Europe director provides update on futures of LIV Golf players

Ryder Cup Europe director Guy Kinnings has provided an update on the status of the LIV Golf players hoping to still play in the biennial event. 

At present the European LIV Golf players have not been banned from the Ryder Cup but there are question marks over the futures of their former stalwarts.

Those players include Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey, Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer. 

Newly-announced Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, who replaced Stenson, said in his press conference this week he doesn't believe the situation will get resolved "any time soon". 

Kinnings told the media the position "isn't clear", adding: "There are legal appeals ongoing, and until such time the players are entitled to play; and therefore, you know, the Ryder Cup qualification process when it does get announced, then that has to be something that Luke will be working on with us.

"Then the points will run, but I suspect they will be much as they are with The PGA of America, listing players that are mentioned but subject to eligibility. As we said, that's all to be seen in the coming weeks, and we'll work around whatever is needed to help Luke in the cause as he says."

Donald, who also revealed that he turned down an offer from LIV Golf as an announcer, said hopefully over the next few months there will be "some clarity". 

He told the media: "As you know, there's a legal situation going on. I don't think that situation's going to get resolved any time soon. So until that does, I can't really comment on it because there's no real answer.

"But certainly over the next few months, hopefully we'll have some clarity on that situation and we can start making some decisions about that when they become more clear."

Before he was named as the captain, Donald fired shots at Stenson, saying that he intended to honour his contract. 

"I won't be doing a Henrik," he said. 

Stenson had a pop of his own after claiming victory on debut at LIV Golf Bedminster. 

The situation is less murky for United States captain Zach Johnson. The PGA Tour has banned and suspended the LIV rebels. 

That means that Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka are ineligible to be picked for Rome 2023.

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