Axed LIV Golf pro "frustrated" by latest DP World Tour decision

Ex LIV Golf pro Justin Harding learns the DP World Tour will only give him limited starts to keep his DP World Tour card in 2024. 

Axed LIV Golf pro "frustrated" by latest DP World Tour decision
Axed LIV Golf pro "frustrated" by latest DP World Tour decision

Former LIV Golf pro Justin Harding has revealed frustration at being handed just 15 starts on the DP World Tour in order to keep his card in 2024. 

Harding, 37, competed in the first three LIV Golf tournaments during their inaugural 2022 season and performed admirably with a T10 (London), T8 (Portland), T19 (Bedminster). 

But without a LIV Golf contract to his name, Harding was one of the unlucky players that was booted out of the 48-man league backed by Saudi billions. 

He did at least walk away with $1,362,500 from his three LIV events where he competed on Phil Mickelson's Hy Flyers GC. 

The South African then returned to the DP World Tour to play in a couple of events before being ruled out of the season due to a hip injury. 

He was one of four LIV Golf players who were late entries into the 2022 Scottish Open field following legal intervention by Ian Poulter's team. 

Harding, who has two wins to his name on the DP World Tour at the 2019 Qatar Masters and 2021 Kenya Open, came back to competition only to play in five events during the 2023 DP World Tour season, which was once again blighted by a hip injury.

Axed LIV Golf pro

Now back ready to play again, Harding took to X this afternoon to express frustration at his latest DP World Tour status that will see him able to play in just 15 tournaments on the roster this season. 

Harding also confirmed he is not allowed to compete in Asian Tour events in 2024 without permission from the DP World Tour. 

The update for Harding falls on the same day former LIV Golf pro Bernd Wiesberger was reinstated by the DP World Tour.

Wiesberger, who has eight wins on the DP World Tour, will be exempt for DP World Tour events under category 11 for the 2024 season, which got underway at the Joburg Open earlier today. 

Axed LIV Golf pro

In a lengthy note, Harding tweeted

"So the new season kicked off today and just to give you an update on how things are progressing..
"Albeit I've only played 5 DP World Tour events spanning what will now be 3 seasons and 15 months, the Tour seems determined to give me just 15 events to keep my card this upcoming season.
"Frustratingly that decision affects my return to competitive golf (I'm not at present allowed to play Asian Tour without permission and or further events being deducted from the 15) and as such will likely only be able to return to competition in February with some Challenge Tour events.
"Best of luck to all my friends and fellow golfers who are playing the next few weeks in my home country! Kiss ass boys I'll be out there again soon."

Nine-time DP World Tour winner Pablo Larrazabal urged Harding to go and get himself a third DP World Tour win in 2024. 

"As talented as you are, go get a win in your first few events you play and come back to the place you deserve," tweeted Larrazabal, who won twice on the DP World Tour in 2023. 

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