LIV Golf had reached out to the DP World Tour in order to settle fines owed by breakaway league players to the Wentworth-based circuit, but the proposal was rejected
The DP World Tour rejected LIV Golf’s offer (
Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The PGA Tour were made fully aware of LIV Golf’s peace offering to the DP World Tour as soon as discussions between the two rival circuits began, Mirror Sport understands.
On Monday it was revealed in a report by Sports Illustrated that LIV had approached DP World Tour bosses over the possibility of settling fines owed by their players to the Wentworth-based circuit. In 2023, the DP World Tour won an arbitration case to fine and suspend its members that competed in ‘conflicting’ LIV events.
The issue has returned to the limelight in recent months, with the Ryder Cup future of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton doubted with the pair yet to pay outstanding fines they owed to the DP World Tour since their move to the LIV setup.
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In recent weeks, both Rahm and Hatton have appealed the sanctions against them, allowing them to compete on the DP World Tour this Autumn, in the hope of remaining eligible to compete at next year’s Ryder Cup. Despite the short-term fix, Rahm has openly admitted he has no intention of paying his fines.
“I’m not a big fan of the fines,” the Spaniard said last week. “I’ve been outspoken about the fines. I don’t intend to pay the fines and we keep trying to have a discussion with them about how we can make this happen.”
Whilst his talks were ongoing, LIV representatives on his behalf were attempting to forge a deal with the European setup that would allow Rahm and co to compete freely across both the breakaway league and the DP World Tour without the risk of further sanctions.
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LIV Golf bosses made an offer to the DP World Tour ( Getty Images)
This deal however was rejected by the DP World Tour and Mirror Sport understands that the Wentworth-based circuit were unwilling to compromise with their competitors, with the Tour keen to stay consistent to the action they have taken against those who have made the Saudi switch previously.
Furthermore, the DP World Tour’s Strategic Alliance with the PGA Tour ensured the American-based circuit were kept in the loop throughout the discussions with LIV. The PGA Tour have taken a zero tolerance approach to the breakaway league, having banned all players from the LIV setup from competing in their events.
The American tour are currently in negotiations with LIV backers, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) over ending the ongoing dispute within professional men’s golf. Having announced a framework agreement last June, the two sides are yet to officially sign of a deal. Representatives of the PGA Tour met with PIF chiefs in New York last week over possible investment from the Saudi fund into the PGA Tour’s for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises.
