The DP World Tour is in talks with LIV Golf players over a deal that will see some notable names leave the league.
Several LIV Golf players are in advanced talks on a plan to exit the bankrupt league with a deal that guarantees them opportunities to play on the DP World Tour, TG understand.
Agents have been exploring potential exit routes from LIV on behalf of players since it emerged that the Saudi Public Investment Fund would withdraw its multibillion-dollar support for the league in April. And Wentworth bosses are currently in negotiations with a significant number of players planning to use the DP World Tour as a landing ground next season.
LIV was granted a 12-day extension to convince players to stay for a proposed relaunch, after BC Partners Credit conditionally agreed to invest a total of $300 million in the post-Saudi project.
League sources remain confident they can get a “critical mass” of players to sign up before the new October 25 deadline, but David Puig’s decision to follow Jon Rahm out of the exit door this week has intensified fears of an exodus.
TG has learned from sources familiar with the matter that contracts are being discussed that will open up DP World Tour playing opportunities to various LIV players ahead of the 2027 season, provided they reject the proposed new terms for LIV 2.0.
Current members with exemptions can apply to renew their membership as usual, but these deals are being offered to those who are essentially in limbo and don’t have a DP World Tour membership, or even an easy path back to the traditional environs.
LIV players without any status are being offered a specific number of tournament invitations – which for some could be as high as double depending on their value and the amount of event space available – as they attempt to build a schedule for 2027. Although it is understood that these invitations would not immediately allow players to participate in the Rolex Series, the five flagship events on the DP World Tour calendar.
A DP World Tour spokesperson said TG: “Given the high volume of interest and inquiries we have received in recent weeks, we are exploring the terms on which we are prepared to welcome players provided they are free from third-party contractual restrictions and are willing to adhere to our membership regulations. Our tournament committee has approved the process we intend to follow and we expect further inquiries in the coming days.”
Last February, eight LIV players who were members of the DP World Tour signed conditional releases that allowed them to play in the league without facing fines or bans, provided they participated in an additional number of events.
But Wentworth HQ is set to resume its hardline stance and start sanctioning members again next season if they choose to stick to LIV and break the conflicting event rules. This will make it difficult for potential players to complete a schedule outside of the 10 events planned for LIV 2.0.
These new agreements are, however, strictly conditional on the players exiting their LIV contracts. The Tour has a limited capacity for tournament invitations to distribute to non-members who they believe can benefit the Tour.
One of the notable names that could surely benefit from this new arrangement is Joaquin Niemann.
Niemann lost his status last year after failing to play the minimum number of events and is among the players who would otherwise enter the DP World Tour Q School. But Niemann is LIV’s most prolific winner and a true star with victories on the PGA and DP World tours.
Before winning the Chile Open last week, Niemann discussed the prospect of a return to the PGA Tour, but also acknowledged that it was unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Brian Rolapp, director of the PGA Tour, has repeatedly said that the member return program, which facilitated Brooks Koepka’s return from LIV in January, will not be reopened.
Rahm and others will therefore have to serve a one-year suspension before being eligible for the American circuit in August 2027.
The DP World Tour, however, is now poised to capitalize on a huge surge in interest. Those familiar with the rapidly evolving situation expect many players – some of whom have barely appeared on tour – to reach an agreement with the tour and finalize their exit from LIV.
Gn sports
