DP World Tour to refuse LIV players in 2027 season
DP World Tour adopts a strict stance by barring LIV Golf players from membership in 2027, setting a November 16 deadline for players to choose.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- DP World Tour announces a strict policy barring LIV Golf players from membership in 2027
- A firm deadline is set for November 16 for athletes to declare their intended tour commitments
- The shift follows LIV Golf's restructuring efforts and securing a 300 million dollar financing deal
The professional golfing landscape is facing a major shake-up as the DP World Tour, sponsored by DP World, has established a firm stance that golfers signing up with LIV Golf next season will be barred from holding European Tour membership in 2027. This marks a significantly tougher position compared to previous seasons.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, told BBC Sport that players must make a definitive choice regarding where they play. He emphasized that the organization has rules and regulations designed to protect the tour, which all members must strictly follow, and those unwilling to comply should not seek membership.
In past years, conditional releases were granted to elite players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, allowing them to compete across both the DP World Tour and LIV circuits. However, players will now be required to disclose their intended schedules for next year, and their responses will directly determine their membership eligibility.
This tightening of regulations by the DP World Tour highlights ongoing tensions between traditional circuits and heavily funded alternative leagues. Furthermore, as strategic alliance negotiations with the PGA Tour continue, establishing strict internal governance helps position the European circuit favorably for future collaborative discussions.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Currently, around 15 LIV players hold status categories with the DP World Tour, including Rahm, Hatton, Victor Perez, and Tom McKibbin. Meanwhile, players such as Joaquin Niemann and Thomas Pieters lack such status, requiring them to go through qualifying schools or sign specific agreements restricting future affiliation with LIV.
This policy shift comes while LIV Golf navigates turbulent organizational changes, having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September following the withdrawal of multi-billion dollar backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The league recently announced securing 300 million dollars in financing from BC Partners Credit to support its 2027 season restructuring.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Despite these funding efforts, uncertainty surrounds LIV Golf as two-time major champion Jon Rahm announced he will not continue playing in the league. Legal representatives for other major winners, including Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith, have also sought court clarification regarding contract rejections and future third-party negotiations.
Source: BBC Sport
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