LIV accuses DP World Tour of interfering as judge backs rescue deal

Robert Fitzgerald, LIV Golf’s lawyer, told the bankruptcy court in New Jersey on Wednesday that the DP World Tour’s new membership rule was “a clear attempt to interfere with our process”. Judge Michael B. Kaplan replied that comments by the tour’s chief executive, Guy Kinnings, “do raise concerns”. According to Golf Channel, Kaplan approved LIV’s rescue agreement with BC Partners Credit during the 35-minute hearing and allowed the league to reject the contracts of 19 players, Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson among them.

The rule requires anyone applying for DP World Tour membership in 2027 to commit on the application form not to play in LIV 2.0, the relaunched league. Applications close on 16 November. Kinnings told BBC Sport on Monday that players had to make a choice. Fitzgerald said LIV was reserving all its rights and remedies and that the decision raised anti-competitive concerns, ESPN reported.

The approval allows BC Partners to put up to $300 million into a player-owned league for 2027, starting with a $4 million loan to keep LIV running through Chapter 11. Players would hold 52.5% of the new company, BC Partners and minority investors 45% and management 2.5%. Kaplan said the approval “is an important step, but it does not dictate, necessarily, confirmation of a plan”. He added that he was not ruling on whether claims against LIV were valid.

LIV told the court that the existing contracts did not fit the pay structure planned for LIV 2.0 and had to go before new deals could be negotiated. Court papers submitted with the rescue terms last week showed LIV owing DeChambeau about $5.8 million in past-due payments. An ad hoc group of players including DeChambeau, Johnson, Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood was represented by lawyers at a hearing for the first time. Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Harold Varner III have asked to be released from their contracts to play elsewhere, ESPN reported.

Players have until 25 October to commit to LIV 2.0. BC Partners decides how many signatures are enough and which players must be among them, and it can extend or waive the deadline. Fitzgerald said LIV expected to know by 31 October whether it would go ahead or wind down. The case returns to court on 20 October.

Sources

• Golf Channel: Judge approves agreement between LIV Golf and BC Partners
• ESPN via TSN: LIV Golf to know its future by end of month, attorney says
• GOLF.com: After Ryder Cup eligibility changes, Justin Rose sees ‘different’ team ahead
• Yahoo Sports: LIV Golf eyes 2027 schedule and $300M in investment amid DPWT ban