05 May 2023 , 11:28
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The DP World Tour have threatened to take 'appropriate action' against LIV Golf rebel Sergio Garcia, with the Spaniard yet to pay a £100,000 fine after resigning his membership from the Wentworth-based circuit.
Garcia was among a group of LIV golfers who quit the DP World Tour, after Sports Resolutions ruled in favour of the Tour following a legal dispute with the Saudi-funded series' playing roster. The verdict ruled that players who had joined the LIV setup were required to pay the fine initially sanctioned by the Tour last summer.
On Thursday, the Tour confirmed that 16 LIV Golf players have paid their fines, including Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Richard Bland who handed in their membership alongside the £100,000.
Confirming Garcia is the the only rebel yet to pay up, a statement from the Wentworth-based circuit read: "Sergio Garcia has not paid his £100,000 fine, nor has he given any indication that he intends to. We will therefore take appropriate action if he continues not to respect the Sport Resolutions panel’s decision.
"As confirmed yesterday, Garcia announced his resignation from the DP World Tour alongside Richard Bland, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. Details of further sanctions for players who breached the Conflicting Tournament Regulation by playing in subsequent conflicting events without a release, will be announced next week.
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Garcia and Poulter are now ineligible to play in the Ryder Cup (Getty Images)The saga signals a sad end for some of Europe's greatest players, with the Ryder Cup careers of Garcia, Westwood and Poulter now over. One man who was sad to see his time with Team Europe come to an end, was seven-time Ryder Cup winner Westwood.
He told the Telegraph : "Could you imagine them allowing Luke to involve one of us, no matter how well one of us might be playing? There will be so much experience lost now, all because the [DP World] Tour has gone into bed with the PGA Tour.
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Lee Westwood has quit the DP World Tour (PA)"That’s not the way it was. And not the way I think it should be. It’s time for me to move on.” 2023 captain Luke Donald also revealed he was 'sad' to see the back of three of his former teammates, telling BBC Sport: "It's sad we've got to this point but this was always a possibility.
I played with all three and they've been stalwarts of, and given a lot to, both the Ryder Cup and European Tour... It is a shame. They've got a lot of history when it comes to the Ryder Cup. Ultimately this is their choice and I wish them well. They feel like this was the best choice for them and now I've got choices to make that are best for me."