Tour pro slams DP World Tour "shenanigans" after latest revelation

Tour pro Scott Hend hits out at the DP World Tour after the latest update surrounding LIV Golf.

09 Nov 2023

Tour pro slams DP World Tour "shenanigans" after latest revelation

Tour pro Scott Hend has hit out at the DP World Tour after a memo was sent to players advising them they will need a release to compete in the LIV Golf Promotions event.

That decision will rest with DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley, and the deadline for a release was November 8.

The DP World Tour has reportedly warned its members they could face fines or suspensions for appearing in LIV Golf's qualifying school in December if they tee it up in the event without a release.

A memo obtained by The Times of London confirmed members of the European-based circuit have 24 hours to apply for permission.

LIV Golf's promotions event will be held over 8-10 December, awarding three places into the Saudi-bankrolled 2024 LIV Golf League.

The schedule for the rival league's third campaign has not been released but on 8 November details were confirmed over the breakaway's transfer market and free agency.

Hend, 50, has competed on multiple Tours around the world during his career, one of which has been the European Tour where he won three times.

The Australian believes the latest revelation from the DP World Tour is "astonishing".

Hend admits golf fans haven't a clue about all the "shenanigans" currently going on at the DP World Tour.

He also disclosed how he knows plenty of fellow Tour pros who have "minimal" DP World Tour status "being fined" for playing on the International Series, which is currently backed by LIV Golf over on the Asian Tour.

Hend responded to a tweet that was sent out by popular account, Flushing It.

Flushing It tweeted:

"The DP World Tour has sent a memo to players advising them that they need a release to play on the LIV promotions event and the decision will be down to the CEO, Keith Pelley with the deadline being today. They also have changed the release rules around a player playing on their “Home Tour” without a release from 2024: Members are now only permitted to play in a tournament without requesting a release where (i) that tournament is staged in their “Home Country” and (ii) that tournament is sanctioned by a “Major Golf Tour”*. (*NOTE: Major Golf Tour is defined as a Full or Associate Member of the International Federation of PGA Tours (which includes DP World Tour, PGA TOUR, Sunshine Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Japan Golf Tour, Professional Golf Tour of India, China Golf Association, Korean PGA, Asian Tour). These are very interesting developments and I assume it’s designed to combat the threat from the Asian Tour. I wonder if releases are needed, or would ever be rejected, for members who play the majority of their golf on the PGA Tour? What happened to the men’s pro golf world working together in “good faith” to formalise an agreement? I guess we’re still as fractured as ever!"

Hend then replied:

"The whole underhandedness of this is astonishing..... I know of guys who have "minimal" DP WORLD Tour status being fined for playing the International Series..... Its ridiculous stuff.... The General Golf Fan has zero idea of the shenanigans going on."

He then responded to a golf fan who took aim at his tweet:

LOL.... except your trying to convince a Guy who has Played "Multiple" Tours for years..... I think I know a thing or 7 about the shenanigans that the Tour gets up to.... You fulfill your commitments do as they ask and then they take a on you when you lose your status.....
— Scott Hend (@hendygolf) November 9, 2023