Report: DP World Tour prepares to bring back LIV Golf fines in 2027

LIV Golf players hoping to add more DP World Tour events to their schedules in 2027 could soon find themselves facing a difficult choice.

According to The Athletic's Gabby Herzig, the DP World Tour has already started notifying LIV players that it is "highly unlikely conditional releases will be granted beyond 2026", meaning the temporary arrangement allowing them to compete without further penalties is not expected to continue.

The development could see fines and tournament suspensions return for LIV players who compete in events that clash with the DP World Tour's schedule.

A source briefed on the matter told The Athletic that players have been advised not to make future scheduling decisions based on the expectation that the current arrangement will be extended.

DP World Tour's LIV agreement was only for 2026

The current system was introduced earlier this season after eight LIV golfers reached agreements with the DP World Tour.

Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie were granted conditional releases that allowed them to fulfil their LIV Golf commitments while also competing in DP World Tour events.

As part of the agreements, the players agreed to settle outstanding fines and commit to additional DP World Tour appearances.

Jon Rahm later reached his own arrangement with the DP World Tour, which, at the moment at least, allows him to participate in Luke Donald's 2027 European Ryder Cup team.

The deals and agreements have provided an important route for LIV golfers to remain involved in European tournaments.

However, the DP World Tour was clear when the agreements were announced that they were limited to the 2026 season and would not set a precedent.

That position now appears to be becoming increasingly important.

Fines and suspensions could return

According to The Athletic's Gabby Herzig, without a new agreement in place, LIV players competing in conflicting events could once again face the DP World Tour's disciplinary measures.

That could include significant fines and tournament suspensions, making it considerably more difficult for players to freely combine their LIV schedules with regular appearances on the European circuit.

The potential change is particularly significant for the European-born LIV golfers such as Rahm and Hatton who have ambitions of making Donald's Ryder Cup team at Adare Manor, Ireland, in September 2027. 

LIV Golf's new model could be a factor

The latest development comes as LIV Golf prepares for what CEO Scott O'Neil has described as a new phase for the league, in light of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrawing their financial support of the league past this season. 

LIV's proposed 2.0 model is expected to feature fewer tournaments and reduced prize purses, while giving players the opportunity to take equity positions in their teams and the wider league.

BC Partners is understood to be leading the race as lead investor of the league per Bloomberg News, but they are understood to want assurances from the best players that they intend to stick around on the league, according to the Financial Times. 

A number of LIV Golf stars have yet to fully confirm their allegiance to the league next season, none more notable than Rahm, who according to Monday Q Info is still owed in the region of $150m from his multi-year contract. 

With less tournaments to play on LIV Golf, it could create more space in the calendar for players to compete elsewhere.

However, it could also strengthen the DP World Tour's concerns that players may prioritise their LIV commitments rather than becoming regular members of the European circuit.

The DP World Tour wants LIV golfers to add value to its tournaments, but there is an obvious tension between allowing players to appear when their LIV schedules permit and ensuring they remain committed to the Tour.

The special 2026 arrangements were designed to address that problem temporarily, but they may not survive into next season.

Sergio Garcia planning DP World Tour return

The latest reports come as Sergio Garcia prepares to make several more appearances on the DP World Tour before the end of 2026.

The LIV Golf star has confirmed to GolfMagic that he will play in three further events in Switzerland, Ireland and Spain.

Garcia, who won the 2017 Masters and is the all-time record points scorer at the Ryder Cup, has also revealed he intends to take up membership of the DP World Tour once again in 2027. 

The Spaniard did not retain his card at the end of 2025 and has consequently relied largely on sponsor invitations to compete in DP World Tour events this season.

Garcia will have played in five regular DP World Tour events this year once he's competed on home soil at the Open de Espana in October, and that will be enough for him to regain membership again of his former long-time circuit. 

It will also give him a chance to make Donald's 2027 European Ryder Cup team should he return to some of his best form ahead of the biennial contest. 

Garcia's decision to take up membership again highlights the potential importance of the circuit to LIV players who want to remain involved in European golf.

However, Garcia and his fellow LIV golfers could face a very different set of rules next season if the conditional-release system disappears.

A major decision awaits LIV players

For now, the 2026 agreements remain in place, but if the DP World Tour sticks to its reported position, LIV golfers will have to reassess their schedules for 2027.

They could prioritise LIV Golf, focus more heavily on the DP World Tour, or risk the fines and suspensions associated with conflicting events.

The issue could become particularly significant for players targeting Ryder Cup selection.

The DP World Tour has declined comment on The Athletic's latest report. 

With LIV Golf's future schedule still taking shape, the relationship between the two tours remains unresolved.

What appears increasingly clear, however, is that the special arrangement enjoyed by a group of LIV golfers in 2026 may be coming to an end — and there may be no similar deal to prevent fines and suspensions in 2027.