DP World Tour hands first LIV Golf stars invitations for 2027 season

The DP World Tour has confirmed its first invitations for former LIV Golf players ahead of the opening event of its 2027 season, with three recognisable names securing places in the field.

Thomas Pieters, Michael La Sasso and Carlos Ortiz have all been included in the entry list for the BMW Australian PGA Championship, which gets the new campaign underway from November 26-29.

Former LIV players Pieters, La Sasso and Ortiz have each been added to the field under Category 5a. 

The BMW Australian PGA, co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour of Australasia, will take place at The Australian Golf Club in Kensington, with the confirmed invitations providing an early indication of the opportunities available to former LIV players.

Pieters will be particularly keen to make the most of his opportunity after falling short at the Final Stage of DP World Tour Q-School earlier this week.

The 34-year-old Belgian enjoyed a successful spell on the circuit before joining LIV Golf, collecting six DP World Tour victories during his career. 

He also represented Europe at the 2016 Ryder Cup, where he finished leading points scorer for the week, claiming four points from five matches at Hazeltine.

Pieters' departure from the DP World Tour in 2023 cost him his previous playing status on the European Tour, although he currently holds category status on the HotelPlanner Tour.

La Sasso will also be looking to make an impression in Australia. 

The talented 22-year-old American claimed victory at LIV Golf's final event in Indianapolis in August but was unable to secure a DP World Tour card after exiting at the Second Stage of Q-School.

Ortiz, meanwhile, is preparing for his first appearance since LIV Golf's demise. 

The 35-year-old Mexican last competed at the Asian Tour's Hong Kong Open, where he finished tied for 36th.

Ortiz has one PGA Tour title to his name, coming at the 2020 Houston Open. 

DP World Tour LIV Golf invites spark player backlash

The first batch of special invites arrive amid considerable interest in how the DP World Tour will accommodate players departing LIV Golf.

Following the decision to prevent members from freely competing across both circuits, officials have been discussing potential playing opportunities for those leaving the breakaway league without existing DP World Tour status.

However, the prospect of former LIV players receiving tournament invitations without having to earn their way back through the traditional routes has become an increasingly contentious subject among the circuit's current membership.

Eddie Pepperell and Joost Luiten are among those to have publicly questioned the approach in recent weeks, with several other players also making their feelings known as discussions surrounding the return of former LIV members continue.

At the heart of the debate is whether players who previously turned their backs on the DP World Tour to join LIV Golf should now be required to earn their way back through Q-School and the established membership routes, rather than being handed invitations to compete in European Tour events.

There is, however, another side to the argument. Supporters of the initiative believe allowing former LIV players back into tournament fields is a sensible move, particularly given the quality and experience they could bring to DP World Tour events in 2027.

With several high-profile names now looking for playing opportunities following LIV Golf's demise, the circuit faces a balancing act between protecting the interests of its existing members and strengthening tournament fields for the season ahead.

More former LIV Golf players set for Australian PGA Championship

Several other former LIV players will also feature in Australia.

Cameron Smith and Elvis Smylie, both former Ripper GC members, are included as past champions, while Harold Varner III is another ex-LIV player in the field.

Spanish youngster Jose Ballester, who previously represented Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC on LIV Golf, has also secured his place on the circuit after finishing joint top at the Final Stage of Q-School to earn his DP World Tour card for 2027.

Fellow Spaniard David Puig, who also formerly represented Fireballs GC, will also compete in Australia through his existing DP World Tour membership following four seasons with LIV Golf.

Home favourites Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee will complete part of an impressive Australian contingent as the DP World Tour prepares to launch its new season.