LIV Golf ordered to pay a record-breaking fine despite releasing a star for the DP World Tour
The breakaway league was a major factor in Bernd Wiesberger’s decision to return to the DP World Tour earlier this week after spending two seasons with LIV Golf.
LIV Golf has paid the DP World Tour an overdue fine of £1.5 million in order to permit its former star, Bernd Wiesberger, to return to the Wentworth-based circuit in 2024.
Wiesberger had revealed earlier this week that he will be joining the LIV setup for a two-year hiatus before rejoining the DP World Tour. Furthermore, The Telegraph claims that in order for Wiesberger to return, the Saudi-funded series had to pay a record punishment.
The Austrian player was among several others who received fines and suspensions from the European circuit following an arbitration process that was successfully completed earlier this year.
Following the penalty, several players chose to resign from their memberships, including Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. However, Wiesberger, their former Ryder Cup partner, chose to hold onto his Tour card, and with good reason.
The 38-year-old finished the 2023 season just four spots above the drop zone, which helped him avoid automatic relegation from the LIV circuit last month. After that, Wiesberger became a free agent on the Saudi-backed circuit, but he decided to rejoin the DP World Tour rather than look for a new contract.
According to the report, players were initially told by Greg Norman and colleagues that they would pay any fines incurred for switching to Saudi Arabia. Before their legal defeat in April, those at the LIV setup were optimistic that players would be able to compete on both tours.
After serving a two-month suspension from the Tour, Wiesberger will make his comeback at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he last competed on the DP World Tour this year. “I am happy to announce that my focus for next year will be entirely on the DP World Tour,” he added, announcing his return.
“I have never resigned my membership and therefore I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to play a full schedule once again. Included in that will be the traditional national championships that are such a big part of the tour and where I have enjoyed some success in the past.
“I’m excited to participate in those and, naturally, begin my career again in Dubai in January. I appreciate your help. Following the announcement by the DP World Tour that they had granted the Austrian’s request to rejoin, Wiesberger made his remarks. Tour CEO Keith Pelley had given the former Ryder Cup player the go-ahead.
The DP World Tour has approved Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s application to join for the 2024 season, according to a statement. After Wiesberger participated in just two counting tournaments for the 2023 season—the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship—he was disqualified from the Tour and had his membership revoked. Wiesberger was also eliminated from the Race to Dubai.
“He then stated that he wanted to participate in the whole 2024 DP World Tour calendar, and he has completed all of the financial and competition suspensions that were placed on him for violating the Tour’s conflicting event policy in 2022 and 2023. Thus, in compliance with the process outlined in the Members’ Regulations, DP World Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley has granted his plea for reinstatement.”
