Players who joined the breakaway LIV Golf circuit face suspension from the DP World Tour after losing a legal battle, The Times reported on Tuesday.
In the latest clash of golf’s civil war between the established Tours and the Saudi-backed LIV rebels, a total of 13 players sought to ensure their ability to participate in future events in front of an arbitration panel in London in February.
According to the report, public confirmation of the panel’s verdict could be published on Thursday, just as the first Major of the year, The Masters, tees off in the United States.
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: “Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process conducted by Sport Resolutions, we will make no comment on any aspect of the arbitration until the decision is formally announced.”
The case arose when players requested releases from the DP World Tour in order to play the inaugural LIV Golf event in Hemel Hempstead last June.
Those requests were denied but the players competed in LIV’s lift-off event regardless.
The DP World Tour retaliated with £100,000 fines and bans from the Scottish Open.
But an appeal from Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding saw the punishments suspended pending an appeal.
That allowed LIV players to continue playing on the DP World Tour, with Otaegui winning the Andalucia Masters in October.
Ten more LIV players then joined the case, which is separate from the anti-trust lawsuit between LIV and the PGA Tour in the US.
The Times said the DP World Tour will be able to suspend and fine players who participate in conflicting events without a release and the initial £100,000 fines have also been upheld.
The verdict also appears to close the door on any LIV players playing in the Ryder Cup in Rome later in the year.
© Agence France-Presse
