World · Singapore Bureau
LIV Golf players barred from European Tour membership, says chief
The European Tour's chief executive has declared that players who joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit will be denied membership of the tour, effectively forcing them to choose between competing interests.
LSN Singapore ·
Guy Kinnings, chief executive of the European Tour, confirmed on Monday that LIV Golf participants will be prohibited from accessing European Tour membership, marking a hardline stance in the ongoing dispute between established golf tours and the upstart Saudi-backed league.
The declaration effectively presents golfers with a stark choice: continue pursuing opportunities within the LIV Golf framework or maintain eligibility for the European Tour's competitions and events. The European Tour has previously suspended members who joined LIV Golf without obtaining a release from their existing commitments.
The move underscores deepening divisions within professional golf as the LIV Golf league, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, continues to attract high-profile players with substantial financial incentives. The conflict has created significant friction between established golf authorities and the emerging circuit.
Kinnings' statement suggests the European Tour intends to enforce strict boundaries rather than negotiate a path for dual participation. The policy applies across all membership categories and levels of the tour's operations, according to tour officials.
The announcement comes as discussions about potential reconciliation between LIV Golf and traditional tours have stalled, with both parties maintaining their respective positions on player eligibility and participation.