One of the most well-known players to switch from the DP World Tour to LIV Golf last summer was Lee Westwood, an Englishman who has since rekindled his rivalry with the European circuit.
Following the Wentworth-based circuit’s warning to players that they might face a ban if they participate in LIV Golf’s promotion event next month, Lee Westwood has once again taken aim at the DP World Tour.
The Times reported on Wednesday that the DP World Tour disapproved of its members participating in the December LIV qualifier in Abu Dhabi since it coincided with the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa. Players reportedly had only 24 hours’ notice from the Tour to request a tournament release in order to participate in the three-day Q-School for the breakaway league.
They did, however, issue a warning to individuals who were considering traveling to Abu Dhabi, stating that they might face fines and suspensions if they chose to compete rather than enter their own tournament in South Africa.
“If you take up membership for the 2024 season and wish to play in any tournament other than the Alfred Dunhill Championship (and which is therefore a conflicting tournament as defined in the regulations), then, in accordance with the regulations and unless the stated exceptions applies, you must apply in writing for a release to play in that conflicting tournament by no later than 8 November 2023,” the DP World Tour bosses wrote in a stern memo to the players.
Social media user @FlushingIt, a fan of golf, posted the statement. Former world No. 1 and LIV supporter Westwood responded. “At some point [DP World Tour players are] going to have to ask the headmaster if they can go to the toilet!” he tweeted, taking a playful jab at his previous Tour.
After LIV was formed last summer, the DP World Tour suspended several well-known players, including Westwood. This was the first round of sanctions. The decision led to the former world number one choosing to step down from the Tour, where he won 25 titles.
The Englishman handed in his Tour card alongside a number of European stalwarts including Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter. The Wentworth-based circuit’s approach to the LIV Promotion event may have come as a surprise to many, after its partner in the United States, the PGA Tour, took a much softer stance.
It was revealed last week that the PGA Tour had given the green light for its playing members to compete in the breakaway league qualifier in the Middle East due to the nature of the tournament. “Based on the information publicly available regarding the LIV Golf Promotion event, it is determined to be a qualifying event only and not a part of an unauthorised series,” a PGA Tour spokesman said.
“Therefore, the LIV Golf Promotion event is not categorised as an ‘unauthorised tournament.’ This classification is subject to change should the details of the event change.” LIV’s first ever qualifying event will kick off at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on December 8, and will give three players a chance to earn a lucrative spot in 2024.
Participants in the 72-hole, three-day qualifying school will play 18 holes on the first day, with a spot in the second round guaranteed to the top-20 finishers (including ties). The event will not include those who place outside of the top-20. Scores will be reset for round two, after which the same procedure will be repeated and the top 20 advance to the championship day.
After a second score reset, the remaining players compete over 36 holes, with a spot in LIV Golf guaranteed for the top three finishers.
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