LIV Golf accuses DP World Tour of bid to derail its survival plan
LIV Golf has accused the DP World Tour of a "clear attempt to interfere" with its fight for survival.
The claim was made in a United States bankruptcy court after the Europe-based tour said it will refuse membership to anyone who plays the LIV circuit next season, according to the BBC. Membership is the status players need to enter DP World Tour events. No membership, no starts.
The argument was put to Judge Michael B. Kaplan in the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court. Rob Fitzgerald of Gibson Dunn, the lawyer acting for LIV Golf, told the court his client was "quite concerned" by the Tour's stance and was watching it closely.
LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia withdrew funding. Chapter 11 is an American court process that lets a struggling business keep running while it reorganises its debts. It is now trying to reshape itself in front of the judge.
That work took a sharp turn at the hearing on Wednesday, 14 October. The court allowed LIV to reject 19 player contracts, including those of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson. Rejection here means legally tearing up the old deals as part of the restructuring.
Fitzgerald said LIV expects a decision by the end of October on whether it goes forward as LIV 2.0 or winds down altogether. The test is simple. Brutal, too.
LIV 2.0 needs enough players signed up by 25 October to count as a bona fide, or genuine, golf league. Without that core of talent, there is no product to sell to broadcasters, sponsors and fans.
The DP World Tour has hardened its own line. Chief executive Guy Kinnings said "players need to make a choice" about playing across tours. The Tour confirmed on Monday, 12 October, that members of LIV Golf 2.0 will not be allowed to hold DP World Tour membership for the 2027 season and will not be allowed to play both leagues, as reported by Reuters and Yahoo Sports.
For fans, this means the next ten days decide plenty. Players weighing a LIV offer must pick a side for 2027, knowing a signature could close the door on the DP World Tour. LIV must convince them before the 25 October cut-off, or face closure.
