A host of LIV Golf players have returned to the DP World Tour on various occasions. But why?
In 2023, the DP World Tour earned the right to inflict sanctions on players who moved to the Saudi-backed LIV league, as they were competing in conflicting events without being granted releases, which defied the tour’s rules.
You might be sitting at home wondering why LIV players are playing on the DP World Tour when you turn on the TV for the Joburg Open.
Until February 23, 2026, LIV players had to do a lot of ducking and diving, appealing fines and paying fines, and serving suspensions, but now, things have become a lot clearer. Let me explain chronologically.
Can LIV players play on DP World Tour?
Let’s deal with the period between April 2023, when a Sports Resolutions arbitration hearing ruled that $100,000 fines would be imposed on those who played in LIV events.
Fines and suspensions could be paid up and served. If the players coughed up and showed patience, they could be part of the fields on the formerly-named European Tour.
Patrick Reed is an example of a player who moved to the breakaway circuit but was able to play in Europe, having addressed his sanctions.
In some cases, it paid (quite literally) not to be a member. If you are not a member of the DP World Tour and presently play in the LIV League, you aren’t a victim of sanctions. In this case, a tournament invitation or other exemption paths like national spots could be offered.
You could also play in DP World Tour events that didn’t conflict with LIV events. In a week where there is no clash between these tours, LIV players who had exemptions to that event could play.
And then there were the appeals, a seemingly newborn route for LIV Golfers who crossed into the DP World Tour side of the game’s Venn diagram. This first cropped up at the 2024 British Masters where Tyrrell Hatton competed while his sanctions were under an appeal process. Jon Rahm took this route too which made him eligible to compete on the continent.
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This appeal process was fundamental for Team Europe’s chances at the 2025 Ryder Cup. While judgment remained to be passed down, Rahm and Hatton had a window to fulfil their four-event quota in the 2024 season to keep their memberships, and you must be a DP World Tour member to play for Europe at the Ryder Cup.
This brings us to the present day. On February 23, eight DP World Tour members were granted releases to play in LIV events this year, based on the acceptance of these conditions:
- Payment in full of all outstanding fines for breaches of the DP World Tour’s Regulations.
- Participation in additional stipulated DP World Tour tournaments, as well as associated media activity and promotion
- Withdrawal of all pending appeals
Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie all accepted these conditions and can now play on the DP World Tour.
Rahm did not accept the conditions, and his appeal goes on. While he can still play on the DP World Tour under appeal, he is likely to lose the appeal, and will then need to pay what is believed to be $3 million in fines, or leave.
So can LIV players play on the DP World Tour? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’ and below are the names of players who are entered into the next DP World Tour event:
ALSO: How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?
ALSO: Will Jon Rahm be allowed to play in the Ryder Cup?
Why are LIV players in DP World Tour events? Joburg Open
Patrick Reed
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Can LIV players play on the DP World Tour? Well, now you know! What do you make of the LIV Golf players-DP World Tour conundrum? Should every golfer be able to play wherever they like? Tell us on X!
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