The DP World Tour has delivered another blow to LIV Golf's hopes of successfully emerging from bankruptcy proceedings.
The European-based DP World Tour has decided to not allow LIV Golf members to compete in DP World Tour events during the 2027 season. In addition, only golfers who are members of the DP World Tour are permitted to play for Europe in the Ryder Cup.
What this means is any European golfers who commit to LIV 2.0 will be ineligible to take part in the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor. Top LIV Golf players like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, both of whom have been European Ryder Cup stalwarts in recent years, had previously been granted conditional releases to participate on the DP World Tour.
free agents
"Players need to make a choice," DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings told BBC Sport on Monday, Oct. 12. "We have rules and regulations which are there to protect our tour and which our members must all abide by. Players who are not willing to comply with our rules and regulations should not be seeking to join our tour."
Why DP World Tour decision matters for LIV Golf stars
LIV Golf is in the midst of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case that began in September after months of speculation about the league's future. LIV officials have insisted the move is intended to facilitate a restructuring and launch a player-owned version of the tour for the 2027 season.
BC Partners, who is working with LIV to bring to life the next version of the league, extended the deadline for players to commit to LIV 2.0 until Oct. 25 in a court filing earlier this month. Also among the terms was a $300 million total investment, a shortened schedule with smaller purses and an offering to players of 52.5 percent equity share. BC Partners has only committed $4 million of its investment to this point.
None of the most prominent players who left the PGA Tour for LIV have committed to remaining with LIV 2.0 for its 2027 season, with some indicating in bankruptcy court filings they want the freedom to pursue other opportunities in case LIV Golf's restructuring effort fails. Rahm's attorney announced the golfer will not be part of LIV Golf 2.0 in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 7, according to multiple reports.
The ability to play in alternative tours is an important factor as LIV Golf attempts to keep its status as a legitimate professional tour. DP World Tour's stance removes one of the few meaningful competitive outlets available to LIV golfers outside the league's schedule.
LIV Golf fields were only just given "small tournament fields" designation by the World Golf Rankings ahead of the 2026 season. The DP World Tour offered LIV Golf members an opportunity to earn more rankings points, and attaining a certain ranking can be a way to receive an invitation to golf's majors without a prior exemption.
Given LIV Golf's plans for only 10 tournaments in 2027, the inability to compete on the DP World Tour could become a decisive factor for players weighing whether to remain with LIV 2.0, particularly those with plans to qualify for majors or represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.
How LIV Golf stars can return to PGA Tour
The DP World Tour is widely viewed as the most realistic pathway for former LIV Golf members seeking a return to the PGA Tour. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said last month the tour is not considering another returning member program like the one used by Brooks Koepka before the 2026 season.
That leaves the path taken by 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed as perhaps the clearest blueprint for LIV golfers moving forward. After serving a one-year suspension from PGA Tour events, Reed regained eligibility as a non-member in August and improved his PGA Tour status for 2027 through his performances on the DP World Tour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DP World Tour decision delivers another blow to LIV Golf's future
