LIV Golf has accused the DP World Tour of a "clear attempt to interfere" with its restructuring process, after the European tour stated it would refuse membership to players who compete on the breakaway circuit next season. The accusation was made during a court hearing on Wednesday, where attorneys for LIV Golf expressed significant concern over the DP World Tour's stance.
Rob Fitzgerald, an attorney representing LIV Golf, indicated that the organization was "quite concerned" by the rival tour's position and suggested the timing appeared to be a deliberate effort to disrupt LIV's ongoing restructuring and player engagement. "The timing in particular strikes us as a clear attempt to interfere with our process with our players and potentially our reorganisation writ large," Fitzgerald stated in court. He further argued that the DP World Tour's actions raise "anti-competitive concerns," echoing previous claims by LIV that competing tours have sought to exclude and penalize players from participating in LIV events.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, had previously told BBC Sport that "players need to make a choice," indicating a toughening of the tour's policy regarding cross-participation. In prior years, conditional releases allowed some top players, including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, to compete on both tours. LIV Golf, in response, emphasized that player freedom is the core reason for its existence and the foundation of its planned "LIV 2.0" iteration.
Judge Michael B. Kaplan, overseeing proceedings in the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court, acknowledged that the comments made did raise concerns. Fitzgerald informed the court that LIV Golf anticipates making a decision on its future, including whether to proceed with a "LIV 2.0" structure or wind down operations, by the end of the current month. The viability of "LIV 2.0" hinges on two critical factors: structural elements related to investment from BC Partners and securing commitments from a sufficient number of players by month's end.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia withdrew its substantial funding. As part of the court-supervised restructuring, player contracts have been rejected, meaning no players are currently obligated to the organization. During Wednesday's hearing, 19 player contracts, including those of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, were formally rejected. This move was sought by the players to gain clarity and enable them to explore opportunities with third parties.
LIV Golf, which launched in 2021 and attracted several high-profile players, currently owes its participants at least $45 million. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy commented that LIV Golf is in a "state of flux" and that the DP World Tour has been "more than accommodating" to players looking to leave the competition. He added that the DP World Tour is "well within their rights to change the rules and regulations" to protect its business and strengthen the tour.