Thomas Pieters and LIV Golf stars among big names fighting for DP World Tour cards
DP World Tour Q-School Final Stage 2026: Thomas Pieters, Pablo Larrazábal and Marcel Siem headline a 156-player field in Spain, with several LIV-connected players chasing DP World Tour status for 2027.
A host of current and former LIV Golf players are among the headline names heading to Spain this week, with 156 competitors preparing to battle for DP World Tour status at the Final Stage of Qualifying School.
The six-day examination gets underway on Friday, November 6, and runs until Wednesday, November 11, with players competing across INFINITUM's Lakes and Hills courses.
After six rounds of qualifying, the 15 leading players and ties will secure playing opportunities on the DP World Tour, alongside full playing status on the HotelPlanner Tour for the 2027 season.
With uncertainty continuing to surround LIV Golf's long-term future and its proposed 2.0 plans, several players associated with the breakaway circuit have entered Q School in a bid to secure DP World Tour cards for the 2027 season.
However, earning membership could come at a significant cost, with DP World Tour regulations now preventing players from competing across both circuits.
One of the biggest names in the field is Thomas Pieters, although the Belgian has already confirmed his departure from LIV Golf.
The six-time DP World Tour winner and former Ryder Cup star is returning to Qualifying School for the first time since 2013.
He is also the only Rolex Series winner in the 156-player field, having won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in 2022.
Pieters will be joined by several players still connected to LIV, including Fireballs GC youngsters Jose Luis Ballester and Luis Masaveu, Australian Elvis Smylie and Korean Golf Club teammates Byeong Hun An and Mun Do-yeob.
Ballester progressed directly to Final Stage after negotiating the opening qualifying round at Huddersfield Golf Club, while Masaveu earned a reprieve after losing a playoff at Second Stage, having initially been named first alternate.
Smylie lost his DP World Tour status after his winner's exemption expired at the end of the 2026 regular season.
An, meanwhile, is a two-time winner on the circuit, having claimed his latest title at the 2024 Genesis Championship.
21 DP World Tour winners among 156-player field
The LIV contingent will face plenty of established opposition at INFINITUM, with 21 former DP World Tour winners included in the field.
Pablo Larrazábal is among the headline names. The Spaniard has nine DP World Tour titles to his name but lost his full playing rights last month and is attempting to extend his association with the Tour into a 20th season.
Marcel Siem is another major name looking to regain his card. The German is the Tour's most experienced active player, with 594 appearances, but finished the 2026 campaign without a top-ten finish for the first time since 2018.
Other notable winners include England's Ross Fisher, France's Alexander Levy, Italy's Renato Paratore and Edoardo Molinari, who won Final Stage of Q School in 2024.
Dale Whitnell is also set to return to competitive golf after more than a year away, having prioritised his mental health. He will be joined by fellow Englishman Daniel Gavins, while Adri Arnaus, Yannik Paul and Tom Lewis are also among those featuring after progressing or securing reserve positions.
John Catlin, David Horsey, Thomas Aiken, Fabrizio Zanotti, Kalle Samooja and Simon Forsström complete the list of notable DP World Tour winners.
With six rounds standing between the players and a return to the DP World Tour, the battle for 2027 playing privileges promises to be a fascinating one, particularly for those with LIV Golf connections and uncertain futures.
Check out the full entry list here
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
