DP World Tour bans LIV Golf players as Chapter 11 bankruptcy clouds league's future
As the future of LIV Golf hangs in the balance amid its bankruptcy, one other golf tour appears to be strong-arming its players.
Since LIV Golf's inception, those who joined the formerly Saudi-backed tour have been allowed to participate in the DP World Tour — formerly known as the European Tour – under specific circumstances.
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But now, there are no circumstances to be had, and the DP World Tour announced that LIV players are no longer welcome.
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Tyrrell Hatton of England competes during the Open de España 2026 presented by Madrid at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid in Madrid, Spain, on Oct. 8, 2026. (Europa Press via Getty Images)
"Players need to make a choice. As we have said for many years, 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."
LIV golfers were allowed to play on the DP World Tour as long as they were in good standing and paid any fines for playing in LIV events that conflicted with the DP World Tour calendar — those fines were paid for by the Public Investment Fund until 2025.
The PIF halted funding in April to redirect money toward domestic projects and manage financial pressures from the regional war with Iran. Following the decision, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan resigned from LIV’s board.
LIV filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey last month. Between 2021 and 2026, LIV spent an estimated $5 billion to $8 billion. Bankruptcy filings show the league owes millions of dollars in unpaid compensation to top players, including Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Cam Smith.
LIV Golf could be completely out of funding. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The league’s future depends on a proposed restructuring plan called "LIV 2.0." However, it isn't off to a hot start, as Rahm said the terms of "2.0" are "unacceptable" and he won't be participating in it. Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were perhaps the two biggest LIV names to play in DP World Tour events.
Under the proposal, London-based private equity firm BC Partners, which has financial ties to player agency GSE Worldwide, would fund a 2027 relaunch. The plan would also give the players majority ownership of the league.
LIV has laid off most of its operational staff, left event contractors waiting for payment and faces a lawsuit from the Premier Golf League alleging breach of confidence and conspiracy.
Brooks Koepka was the first big name to leave LIV Golf, doing so late last year and returning to the PGA Tour. Patrick Reed followed in his footsteps shortly after.
Jon Rahm of Spain looks on during a practice round, prior to The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 15, 2026, in Southport, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) (Warren Little/Getty Images)
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Shortly after the PIF pulled its funding, LIV CEO Scott O'Neil said the LIV calendar would not be altered, but that did not occur. The league's originally-scheduled championship weekend was cancelled, forcing it to be played a week earlier.
OutKick's Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.
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