Imago
Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and pink sky with copy space Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and pink sky with copy space. sport and competition concept digitally generated image., model released, , property released, Cork, Ireland, 2021-05-26T14:32:38.000Z, 1451967.jpg, people,composition,silhouette,male,golf player,landscape,pink,sky,copy space,sport,competition,concept,digitally generated,generated image,travel,nature,blue,outdoor,view,summer,tourism,recreation,beautiful,digital animation,water,background,montage,activity,sun,vacation,sunset,active,illustration,design,golf,player,copy,space,digitally,generated,image Mature Adult,Man,Male,Caucasian| Credits: Imago
Imago
Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and pink sky with copy space Composition of silhouette of male golf player over landscape and pink sky with copy space. sport and competition concept digitally generated image., model released, , property released, Cork, Ireland, 2021-05-26T14:32:38.000Z, 1451967.jpg, people,composition,silhouette,male,golf player,landscape,pink,sky,copy space,sport,competition,concept,digitally generated,generated image,travel,nature,blue,outdoor,view,summer,tourism,recreation,beautiful,digital animation,water,background,montage,activity,sun,vacation,sunset,active,illustration,design,golf,player,copy,space,digitally,generated,image Mature Adult,Man,Male,Caucasian| Credits: Imago
Last week, the golf world was in for a huge surprise after the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf agreed to a merger, ending all hostilities. Unlike many in the golf community, who expressed their dismay over the announcement, golfers belonging to the Saudi-backed faction warmly welcomed the decision.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Despite the new alliance, however, it seems like there are still a lot of bridges to mend before LIV pros are fully accepted back by the governing bodies of golf. On Thursday, one former European Tour legend and Ryder Cup hero faced the challenge firsthand. Let’s dive in to learn more!
DP World Tour gives LIV Pro a brutal reality check
Last year, Lee Westwood was one of the biggest names in the DP World Tour to defect to LIV Golf. The former World No. 1 ruffled many a feather with his decision, resulting in the Tour imposing a hefty fine on the player. This ultimately led to Westwood handing in his resignation.
Top Stories
His departure also made him ineligible to participate in the Ryder Cup, a competition in which the 50-year-old has scripted stellar records in the past. In fact, Westwood’s eleven appearances in the biennial event are the most by a European.
🚨#REJECTED: Lee Westwood’s application to play the Senior Open this summer was rejected due to outstanding DPWT fines surrounding his participation in LIV GOLF events.
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 15, 2023
However, with the announcement of an alliance among the various golfing circuits, many hoped that past bitterness would be forgotten. At least, that’s what Westwood hoped would happen when he applied to appear in July’s Senior Open. However, his application was rejected due to $430,000 in unpaid LIV Golf fines.
European Tour CEO Keith Pelley has also stood firm on the Tour’s decision to carry out sanctions despite the merger announcement. He expressly reiterated that any golfer who wanted their membership back for this year would have to pay their outstanding fines.
Meanwhile, Westwood’s latest misfortune has greatly divided fans. Many have voiced their support for the European Tour, saying that the LIV pro had it coming for him.
Fans react to unfortunate news involving Lee Westwood
Unfortunately for Lee Westwood, many golf fans have spoken out in support of the DP World Tour’s decision. Many have slammed him for wanting to return after his controversial defection, with one saying, “choices have consequences.”
Damn. His wait to finish in second place in a major again will have to wait another year.
— BadTake Sports (@badtake_sports) June 15, 2023
Right decision, he is a disgrace. Good luck to him getting a game when LIV shuts down at the end of the season.
— tb77617 (@tb77617hk) June 15, 2023
Tough break. Choices have consequences.
— GB (@BiegGreg) June 15, 2023
But but but but I thought the PIF paid all their fines?🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
— 🦁 (@UncleRedWing) June 15, 2023
Westwood, on the other hand, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the rejection. “The Senior Open has said I have to pay ‘outstanding fines,’ but I don’t ‘have to’ as I’ve resigned my membership of the Tour and I don’t intend rejoining,” Telegraph Sport reported 25-time European Tour winner as saying. “I’m puzzled. I didn’t know you have to be a member of European Tour to play in the Senior Open. It is not very ‘open’ if that’s so, is it?” The Open, which the R&A organizes, allows LIV pros to participate. However, the Senior Open is jointly held by the R&A and the DP World Tour. Some have also come to the golfer’s defense, recounting his past victories on the Tour.
A lot of wannabe golf fans on here… Westy done more for the European tour than Mcilroy!!! It simply shows how in the pocket the various tours are of the golf monopoly. Nothing more.
— Perry Mally (@PMallendane) June 15, 2023
Urgh. Not right let the man play
— Ashley Schaeffer (@Gabriels_Daddy_) June 15, 2023
As more and more details about the brand-new merger come to light, it will be interesting to see how things work out for LIV defectors in the future.
Watch The Story: Despite the Billion Dollar Success, LIV Golf Favorite Phil Mickelson Gets Trapped in a Serious Double-Trouble That Could Cost Him a Fortune
Do you agree with DP World Tour’s latest decision involving Westwood? Tell us in the comments!
Written by
Edited by
Brandon Gabriel