DP World Tour to bar LIV players in 2027, putting Ryder Cup places at risk

Players who sign up for the relaunched LIV Golf, known as LIV 2.0, will not be allowed to hold DP World Tour membership in 2027. The tour’s chief executive, Guy Kinnings, set out the position to BBC Sport on Monday, ending the arrangement that has let several of LIV’s Europeans play on both circuits.

“Players need to make a choice,” Kinnings said. He added that the tour’s rules exist to protect it, and that players unwilling to follow them should not be trying to join.

No membership, no place at Adare Manor

Only DP World Tour members can play for Europe in the Ryder Cup. The next match is at Adare Manor in September 2027, so a European who stays with LIV would rule himself out of selection.

Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Victor Perez and Tom McKibbin are all eligible for the DP World Tour through one of its membership categories, according to the Press Association. Golf Monthly estimates that about 15 players are affected in all, including some with no European status.

Rahm has rejected the terms for LIV 2.0 and is set to leave the league, reportedly with up to $150 million of his contract still owed to him. Hatton and Rahm played in the last two Ryder Cups under Luke Donald, and The Independent describes both as very likely picks for Adare Manor if they are eligible. Hatton has not spoken publicly about his plans; asked at the end of September, he told reporters there was nothing he could add.

Conditional releases to end

In February, the tour gave eight LIV players conditional releases, which let them keep their cards without fines or bans as long as they made extra starts in Europe. That compromise ends this year.

Golf Monthly reports that a player who told the tour he would not play LIV, and then did, would have his membership cancelled straight away. In August, The Athletic reported that the tour was considering a return to heavy fines and other sanctions for members playing in LIV events.

At the weekend the tour also confirmed a process for players who leave LIV, under which some could be offered invitations for next season. Joaquin Niemann and Thomas Pieters, who have no DP World Tour status, would need that route or Qualifying School if they left LIV.

Decision due by 16 November

Laurie Canter, Adrian Meronk and David Puig, who received conditional releases for LIV events this year, have until 16 November to decide whether to join LIV 2.0, The Independent reports. Players will be asked next month to declare which tour they intend to play on. Puig has said he does not plan to join LIV 2.0.

LIV went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew its backing. BC Partners Credit has committed up to $300 million to a relaunch in 2027, under which players would become equity owners of the league and its teams. The Press Association approached LIV for comment.

Sources

• Sky Sports: DP World Tour to deny LIV Golf players memberships for 2027 season
• Irish Examiner / PA: DP World Tour to deny LIV Golf players memberships for 2027 season
• Yahoo Sports / The Independent: DP World Tour reveals strong stance on LIV Golf players in 2027
• Golf Monthly: “Players need to make a choice” – DP World Tour to ban LIV golfers from 2027
• GolfMagic: Tyrrell Hatton makes LIV Golf 2.0 admission as future remains unclear