A European arbitration council dealt the DP World Tour a victory in its legal fight with LIV Golf.
The three-person Sports Resolutions panel ruled DP World Tour has the authority to fine and suspend players who compete in conflicting LIV Golf events, a source with knowledge of the decision confirmed to Front Office Sports.
The ruling is expected to be released publicly on Thursday, which coincidentally comes as 18 LIV Golf players and other top players from around the world will play in the first round of the Masters.
“If that is the outcome, then that certainly changes the dynamic of everything,” said four-time major champ Rory McIlroy.
The Times of London was the first outlet to report the decision, which can be appealed.
LIV Golf players Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui, and Justin Harding were fined $125,000 each and suspended after the trio were denied permission to play in LIV’s inaugural event at London’s Centurion Club last June.
Those sanctions were put on hold after Poulter, Otaegui, Harding, and 10 other LIV golfers challenged the DP World Tour’s ruling that led to a five-day hearing in London earlier this year.
The DP World Tour had been among the few ways LIV Golf players could earn points toward majors, as LIV events still don’t receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
While the decision has no direct impact on the ongoing antitrust case between LIV and the PGA Tour, many of the arguments have been used by LIV lawyers.
The next hearing in that case is scheduled for Friday.
Source : FrontOfficeSports
