LIV star takes parents to Masters as it "could be my last" amid PGA Tour battle
Belgian golfer Thomas Pieters has taken his parents with him to this week's Masters after worrying that it could be his last trip to Augusta.
The former world No.23 has seen his world ranking drop to 40 after joining the controversial LIV Golf series in February. Rebels who join the alternative LIV circuit are suspended from PGA Tour events and miss out on ranking points from key tournaments as a result.
The rebels were also been dealt another blow this week after the DP World Tour 'won their battle' in legal proceedings brought about by members of the controversial series.
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.
The legal 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. Rebels were allowed to continue playing in DP World Tour events while legal proceedings were ongoing, but now face missing out on the ranking tournaments.
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Pieters is a six-time DP World Tour winner and would have been dealt a huge blow by this week's ruling. The Belgian joined LIV's 'Range Goats' team alongside Bubba Watson, Talor Gooch and Harold Varner III ahead of the season-opener in Mayakoba.
Thomas Pieters poses with wife Stefanie van Steen and their daughter Florence during the Par 3 contest ahead of the Masters Tournament (Getty Images)At the time of joining LIV Golf, Pieters said that he 'accepted the consequences' of his shock defection which could also impact on his selection for Europe in this year's Ryder Cup.
Pieters says he was ultimately lured to the venture because of a reduced playing schedule and his freedom to spend more time with his young family.
“Of course, with the two young children it is all attractive,” he admitted. “I’ve struggled playing 26 events a year, to be honest. As a father it suits me to have a lighter schedule. I have never wanted to play full-time on the PGA Tour because I don’t think you can do that and live where I want."
Thomas Pieters has seen his world ranking drop to 44 after joining LIV Golf in February (Getty Images)Should LIV Golf event be given world ranking points? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section
However, facing suspension from DP World Tour events and PGA Tour events and with the LIV Golf series not carrying Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points the Belgian is worried about his future participation in major tournaments.
Pieters earned his place at this week's Masters by being inside the world's top-50 at the end of 2022, but could slip outside that position this year. Pieters has taken his parents to the major tournament in case he never plays again.
Thomas Pieters (right) walks with Ireland's Shane Lowry down the 15th fairway during a practice round ahead of this week's Masters (Getty Images)He told Reuters: "I took my parents here because it could be my last one. That's just being realistic. I don't know. Time will tell. We'll see."
The Belgian star made his Masters debut in 2017, when he shared the second-round lead before going on to finish a career-best share of fourth place.
LIV Golf's application with the OWGR remains under review, but could be rejected due to the breakaway series having no cut and an invitational 48-player field.
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