04 April 2023 , 14:28
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The likes of Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have reportedly been dealt a savage blow in their quest to keep playing on the DP World Tour.
Back in February, an arbitration panel presided over a five-day hearing as 13 LIV Golf players and their legal representatives presented their case, arguing they should be able to retain their DP World Tour membership whilst also playing rebel events. Their action related back to the inaugural LIV event at the Centurion Club last June, where players were fined £100,000 and suspended from the Scottish Open for taking part.
Initially, only Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding appealed the ruling and were permitted to play Loch Lomond, but they were soon joined by 13 more before Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace all withdrew from the proceedings. But after almost two months of deliberations, the defectors appear to have lost their case.
A report in The Times on Tuesday has claimed the panel have ruled in favour of the DP World Tour. In essence, that means Poulter and co now face the unenviable choice of giving up their tour cards, or continually having to pay the Tour's fines and serve suspensions for participating in the LIV series.
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour, however, implied the authority were treating the news with caution. "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," he was quoted as saying.
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Also set to be affected by the apparent decision are Westwood, Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Sam Horsfield, Richard Bland, Shaun Norris, Laurie Canter, Wade Ormsby and Bernd Wiesberger. And the news comes on the eve of what is already being billed as a potentially volatile 2023 Masters.
Patrick Reed is one of 13 players involved in the case (Getty Images)Whilst a separate anti-trust lawsuit between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf players is ongoing, six defectors will take their seats at a potentially awkward Champions Dinner on Tuesday night. Overall, 17 of Greg Norman's signings will tee-off at Augusta, with the LIV CEO teasing a group celebration on Sunday if one of his men wins.
The likes of Poulter and Westwood however, won't be playing at golf's most iconic major event as their decision to sign for LIV begins to take its toll. With rebel events not recognised by the Official Golf World Rankings, the pair have plummeted to a point where they are not in contention to qualify.
The pair however, have continually been defiant over their decision to indulge the riches of the rebel faction. Both took to Twitter earlier this year to mock the new alterations to the PGA Tour, accusing the status quo of trying to imitate LIV.
LIV Golf have been approached for comment by Mirror Sport.