Lee Westwood makes "blind or fools" remark as LIV Golf return row intensifies

Lee Westwood says anyone who believes the PGA Tour isn't a rival to the DP World Tour is either "blind or fools", as the Englishman insists LIV Golf players should be allowed back onto the traditional circuits.

The deadline for LIV members to commit to a 2.0 version of the league is fast approaching. 

Players have until 25 October to make that decision, but several notables have already made their mind up given the DP World Tour has drawn a line in the sand and stated that any player who signs up to LIV will not have membership in 2027.

Westwood's former European Ryder Cup teammate, Ian Poulter, 50, was among those to jump ship this week. 

He was followed out the door by Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy's former mentee Tom McKibbin.

McKibbin insisted he had no regrets over his move, despite previously being advised against the switch by the reigning Masters champion.  

Charles Howell III, Abraham Ancer, Branden Grace, David Puig, Lucas Herbert, Thomas Pieters and Adrian Meronk have previously confirmed that they are moving on. 

Bryson DeChambeau is yet to make up his mind, but it appears that the two-time U.S. Open champion remains hopeful he can push LIV forward. 

Several golfers will return to the DP World Tour in 2027. 

Some will be able to play a full schedule given their existing criteria, while it has been rumoured that the European-based circuit may create a separate category for LIV players altogether. 

An argument is brewing, with some DPWT golfers expressing disgust that players from the renegade tour may be able to walk back through the door without a hitch. 

Dutch veteran Joost Luiten took aim at LIV players before the DP World India Championship, telling Today's Golfer: "There should be a rule that if you gave up your membership you lose all your exemption rights as well. 

"Then you have to stay a member if you want to ever come back to this tour.

"A lot of the guys gave up their membership and now they come back like nothing happened and then they become a member again and they get all the rights that they had before they left. 

"If they think that they are that good then show it at Q School and beat the guys. 

"That's how every other guy that wants to play on this tour has to go."

On Friday evening, Scotland's Ewen Ferguson offered his point of view on X:

England's Richard Mansell waded in:

That caught Westwood's attention. 

As far as the 53-year-old is concerned, the DP World Tour is in an "interesting position". 

He added: "Caught between needing 'names' at those times of year when they don't get strong fields (Jan-June) [and] giving invites to people who have shown no interest in the tour other than now when they've nowhere else to play. 

"And keeping the members happy that support the tour at the smaller events and the lads that have gone through all the qualifying stages. 

"Anyone with an exemption should be free to come back because as we know the DPWT endorses members going to another rival tour and already have 10 cards for it but if people don't have an exemption they should have to go through the school like everyone else. 

"And anyone that thinks the PGA Tour aren't rivals and are partners are either blind or fools. 

"Yes they provide funding now but to what end and at what cost to the DPWT? The end of 2027 will be interesting as to what assets they ask for."

Westwood was referring to the DP World Tour's strategic alliance with the PGA Tour. 

Officials from both sides have stated an extension to the deal is currently being negotiated. 

A deep dive from the Money In Sport newsletter recently painted a grim picture for the DP World Tour. 

In 2025 alone, the DP World Tour recorded an operating loss of nearly £65m. The PGA Tour invested £58m.