The DP World Tour has drawn its line into the arena.
The European League’s CEO, Guy Kinnings, confirmed on Monday that it will refuse membership to golfers who sign up for LIV Golf in 2027. A change from past seasons, when members of LIV Golf could still have conditional status on the DP World Tour.
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The move, which has been expected for weeks now, also means that European golfers who stick with LIV Golf will not be eligible for their Ryder Cup team next fall. Golfers must be members of the DP World Tour to compete in the event, which will be held in September at Adare Manor in Ireland.
“Players need to make a choice,” Kinnings said he told BBC High. “We have rules and regulations that are there to protect our Tour and ensure that all our members continue. Players who do not want to comply with our rules and regulations should not seek to join our Tour.”
Golfers for DP World Tour membership from Nov. 16 must apply Currently, BC Partners and LIV Golf set a deadline of Oct. 25.
LIV He was looking for a way for months already having lost Saudi Arabia’s funding earlier this year. Since last month BC Partners has committed to investing more than $300 million in a new version of the Alliance, often referred to as “LIV 2.0”, while certain conditions have been met.
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But so far, several big names have either separated or are planning to separate from Liv Golf. For example, Sergio Garcia’s contract has already been released. Jon Rahm announced last week that he would not participate in Liv 2.0, or Rahm’s departure is by far the biggest blow to the venture as it tries to survive.
Patrick Reed announced in January that he will no longer play for LIV Golf, and is currently playing on the DP World Tour while working to earn his PGA Tour card. Reed leads the season-long points race entering the final stretch of the season.
Several other notable golfers played under the condition on the DP World Tour last season, including Tyrrell Hatton, who has been a member of the last four European Ryder Cup teams. Victor Perez and Tom McKibbin also have status with the DP World Tour, while others, such as Joaquin Niemann and Thomas Pieters, do not.
The American Ryder Cup team does not have the same requirements as the PGA Tour, although qualifying for the tournament would be difficult without PGA status. American captain Jim Furyk could still select any player with legitimate rights.
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But European members are going to have an election soon. Given how important the Ryder Cup is to the world of golf, the DP World Tour’s decision on Monday marks just one more hurdle to cross in LIV when it comes to play in 2027.