European Ryder Cup hopeful 'agrees to join' LIV after missing out on PGA event
LIV Golf have reportedly poached Belgian star Thomas Pieters in a major late signing before the start of the Saudi rebel breakaway's second season.
LIV chief Greg Norman has been accused of failing to add game-changing names to the 48-man roster as the insurgent series aims to build momentum with an expanded calendar of 14 events in 2023.
But the recruitment of world No.34 Thomas represents a significant coup for LIV and also holds ramifications for the European Ryder Cup team ahead of this September's showdown with the US in Rome.
The Telegraph reports Pieters will be unveiled as a new LIV signing on Monday and make his debut in the contentious series in their opening event in Mexico next weekend.
Pieters, who secured a rookie-record four points on his Ryder Cup debut in 2016, looked destined to be part of Luke Donald's European side later this year. But the reported move will jeopardise his chances of teeing it up in the biennial match at the Marco Simone Course.
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At this stage, it seems highly unlikely Donald will select LIV rebels in his six wildcard picks, and Pieters' chances of making the European team via the qualification spots would be extremely limited.
And Pieters' ability to compete again on the DP World Tour as a LIV player will soon be determined by the verdict from a recent Sports Resolution arbitration hearing in London.
The 31-year-old had been a long-term LIV target as the Saudi circuit aimed to add to the list of big-name signings, such as Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson, during their disruptive emergence last year.
Pieters has jeopardised his Ryder Cup chances with the reported move (Getty Images)Pieters had initially indicated to DP World Tour chiefs that his intention was to stay on the European-based circuit rather than defect to LIV.
But it now appears he is the latest player to go back on his word as he joins former European Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter on the rebel tour.
Pieters will become LIV's third off-season recruit after Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz, who both starred on the International Presidents Cup team, were both confirmed on the new roster.
And Pieters' decision to join LIV was perhaps expedited by his apparent frustration at the strategic allegiance between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
The six-time DP World Tour winner failed to secure an invite to the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles this week, which has become one of the PGA Tour's new elevated events with a huge $20million prize pot.
Despite his esteemed ranking, Pieters is not a member of the PGA Tour and the tournament at Riviera did not use Official World Golf Rankings as part of the criteria for qualification.
"Sad to miss my favourite tournament of the year," Pieters tweeted on Wednesday. "Because well as #34 in the world, I just couldn't get in."
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Pieters will first be seen in action on his new tour during LIV's season opener at Mayakoba in Mexico from February 26-28.
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