Martin Kaymer has withdrawn from the BMW PGA Championship claiming he is “not welcome” amid the ongoing hostility towards the LIV golfers competing.
The DP World Tour’s flagship event is poised to be an awkward scene with nearly 20 players from the LIV Golf series in the field to play – something which has become a cause of contention among rival players and Tour bosses.
“Of course, there will be friction there, that’s why I’m not going,” Kaymer told Golf Digest. “I don’t need to go to a place where, feel-wise, you’re not that welcome. They don’t say it, but [it’s there].”
LIV players are allowed to play at Wentworth thanks to a temporary ruling which prevents the DP World Tour from banning them until a court hearing is settled, which isn’t scheduled until February.
Despite that, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley has still outlined his “strong opposition” to having each LIV golfer there, with Rory McIlroy admitting it will be “hard to stomach” seeing them involved.
“Under those circumstances, I try to stay in the area where the energy is high, where the energy is positive.” Kaymer continued. “I don’t know why I should fly to England and be on the golf course for four or five days where you are not that welcome.
“It has nothing to do with the European Tour or the players or anything like that … but where we are right now, I try to stay away. I will wait until everything settles.
“I just don’t know if the main people in charge of all the tours are able to put egos and personal stuff behind and focus on the big picture in the game of golf.”
George Cooper
