Report: Ryder Cup legend wants DPWT return even if LIV Golf survives

Two-time major champion Martin Kaymer has become the latest LIV Golf player to outline his intentions to return to the DP World Tour. 

Kaymer was among the first wave of players to be recruited by the breakaway tour in 2022 alongside his former Ryder Cup teammates Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson. 

The German resigned his membership to avoid racking up fines from the Wentworth-based circuit for competing in 'conflicting events' but is now open to a return. 

Kaymer, 41, told bunkered that he's "really interested" in going back even if LIV Golf survives in 2027. 

"I always said that the European Tour is my home tour," he said. "So I would definitely join the European Tour again, 100 percent.

"I know that I have years [of exemptions], from my successes, that I can go back. Career money list and Ryder Cups, and all those things. 

"So I would be really interested in doing that if [LIV] doesn’t continue. But even if LIV continues, I would like to also go back and play."

Kaymer, who holed the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup, also believes that he's got one more appearance for Europe left in him. 

He has played in four Ryder Cups, amassing an overall record of 6-3-4. 

"I feel like if I am healthy enough, I would like to give myself another chance for the Ryder Cup if I play enough tournaments," he added. 

Kaymer isn't the only LIV Golf player who is plotting a return to the DPWT. 

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have also settled the fines they owed. 

Graeme McDowell revealed last week just how much he had taken for granted.

Asked last week about the stunning U-turn, Poulter said the fines were "always going to be paid at some point".

"And that was down to myself and Lee to choose when that time was right," he said.

"Look, the European Tour and LIV Golf and the acceptance of it all, it's all in a very different position today than what it was four years ago when we were being fined the way we were. 

"There are no fines in place today for guys that are playing on LIV Golf, and that's a massive change.

"When you look certainly how Jon [Rahm] and Tyrrell [Hatton] were treated back in the day, to still be able to play European Tour golf and play in Ryder Cups. 

"Look, things are moving forward in the right direction."

Asked whether Poulter will play on the DPWT in 2027, the Englishman said: "I'm not sure yet, to be honest with you

"I'm still hopeful that things work out in the right way for me to play a number of different tournaments at different times.

"My exemptions are being burnt year in, year out right now which is unfortunate because they took the opportunity in November, if you didn't re-join they would reduce your exemption years year in, year out. It's a shame they did that. 

"It's a shame they devalued the legends category from 5A to 11A, which isn't helpful to get in certain tournaments.

"We'll see. If some of the tournaments directors would really like me to go and play in their tournament and it doesn't compete, they know my number. I've played those tournaments before. 

"If they want to give me a call, then let's have a chat."

Westwood said. "When the current financial backers of the tour are talking about pulling out and we're being indemnified, it just makes sense to get them paid straight away before they do pull out. 

"That's really why we had them paid when we did.

"But I still don't agree with the fines because we are being completely treated differently to the people playing on this tour. 

"I think the fines were excessive, as well, when you consider what other people did and how much they got fined historically."