The BMW PGA Championship gets underway at Wentworth this week, with many LIV Golf defectors in the field.
Prior to the inaugural LIV Golf event at Centurion Club in June, multiple DP World Tour members requested release to take part. These were denied and those that subsequently competed were issued with a three tournament suspension and fined £100,000.
Ian Poulter, Justin Harding and Adrian Otaegui spearheaded a legal challenge that resulted in the suspension being "temporarily stayed" - permitting the players to tee it up on the circuit once again. On top of that, a temporary legal injunction was placed on the DP World Tour that prevented it from suspending its rebellious members until the outcome of a hearing; reportedly set for February 2023.
LIV golfers are therefore able to take advantage of their exemption categories and tee it up in the flagship event this week at Wentworth, but seemingly at a price. Last week, DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley stated that LIV players would not receive a "competitive disadvantage" but would be excluded from the celebrity pro-am, encouraged not to wear LIV Golf apparel and would not be included in TV featured groups.
Tensions further heightened after several LIV members, including Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia, reportedly flew in for the DP World Tour's AGM at the Wentworth HQ yesterday. The players were said to be looking for clarity over the Tour’s strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, as well as any further sanctions that may be coming their way after signing up for the Series, it seems it wasn’t forthcoming.
The tensions between LIV Golf members and the DP World Tour proved to be too much for Ryder Cup hero, Martin Kaymer. The German, who has featured in three LIV Golf events, withdrew from the BMW PGA Championship after insisting: "I don't need to go to a place where, feel-wise, you're not that welcome." Jason Kokrak also withdrew from the event.
Newly-crowned FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy will headline the Surrey field but insisted "it's going to be hard to stomach" seeing them [LIV Golf defectors] there. US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick described their attendance as "a bit weird, and obviously, a little bit disappointing."
Emotions and talk of legal action will be temporarily parked as the 68th edition of the BMW PGA Championship gets underway, where the following 17 LIV golfers are included in the field:
LIV Golf Players In BMW PGA Championship Field
- Abraham Ancer
- Richard Bland
- Laurie Canter
- Sergio Garcia
- Talor Gooch
- Branden Grace
- Justin Harding
- Sam Horsfield
- Pablo Larrazábal
- Graeme Mcdowell
- Shaun Norris
- Wade Ormsby
- Adrian Otaegui
- Ian Poulter
- Patrick Reed
- Lee Westwood
- Bernd Wiesberger
-
Who Is Andrew Novak's Wife?Andrew Novak has been married to wife Maddie since 2020 - here's what we know about her
-
Justin Thomas Claims RBC Heritage Victory In Thrilling Final DayJustin Thomas birdied the first playoff hole to defeat Andrew Novak and claim a first victory since the 2022 PGA Championship
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2025Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry defend their title as players compete for a record purse in the unique team competition
-
Rory McIlroy Career Grand Slam Celebrated With Royal Mail PostmarkRory McIlroy's Masters win, which made him the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam, was celebrated with a special postmark by the Royal Mail
-
9 Things Rory McIlroy Still Has Left To Achieve In His CareerAfter becoming one of just six players ever to complete the career Grand Slam, what else could Rory McIlroy realistically achieve before retirement?
-
Rory McIlroy Invited To Old Trafford By Manchester United Boss Ruben Amorim After Masters VictoryFollowing on from his Masters victory, McIlroy has received an invitation from Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim, to show off his Green Jacket at Old Trafford
-
'His Game Is Futureproof' - Padraig Harrington Predicts Talk Of Rory McIlroy Winning '10 To 15 Majors'The three-time Major winner had nothing but praise for his fellow Ryder Cup player, with Harrington envisaging that McIlroy could carry on at the highest level for a good few years
-
Rory McIlroy's Sports Psychologist Explains Why He 'Didn't Talk' To Bryson DeChambeau In Masters Final RoundDeChambeau raised eyebrows at Augusta National when claiming that McIlroy wouldn't engage in conversation during the final round of The Masters
-
'He Won't Stop Striving For Improvement' - Sports Psychologist Believes Rory McIlroy Has The 'Mindset, Focus And Drive' To Carry On Excellent Start To 2025 SeasonWe spoke to experienced Sports Psychologist, Gareth Shaw, about McIlroy's incredible Masters win and how the five-time Major can push on even further in 2025
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Win More Popular Than Tiger Woods In 2019 As Incredible TV Ratings ReleasedMcIlroy's role as golf's primary needle-mover continued on Sunday as the Northern Irishman's fifth Major attracted an awful lot of eyeballs in the USA...
