The DP World Tour has announced that it will not offer membership for the 2027 season to players who compete for LIV Golf 2.0, escalating the dispute between traditional professional golf and the breakaway league.
DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings confirmed the position on Monday, October 12. He said players must choose which tour they want to support and comply with the regulations of the organisation whose membership they seek.
The announcement is a major setback for LIV Golf as it attempts to secure players for its next phase. The league is facing financial uncertainty after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September and losing the expected financial backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund after the 2026 season.
According to Reuters, the DP World Tour’s decision would prevent golfers who participate in LIV Golf 2.0 from holding membership on the European circuit for 2027. It could also affect their ability to represent Europe at next year’s Ryder Cup, which relies on eligibility and selection rules.
Why the Decision Matters
The DP World Tour is an important part of professional golf, providing tournaments, ranking opportunities and a pathway for players to compete at the highest level.
For many golfers, membership offers more than access to tournaments. It can help them maintain their rankings, build relationships with sponsors and remain eligible for important team competitions.
The Ryder Cup is one of the most prestigious events in golf, bringing together teams representing Europe and the United States. A player who cannot meet the applicable membership and eligibility requirements may find it harder or impossible to qualify for selection.
Some LIV golfers had previously been allowed to compete on both the DP World Tour and LIV events, sometimes subject to conditions and penalties. The new position signals that the tour does not intend to continue offering membership to players who choose to participate in the restructured LIV league during the 2027 season.
Kinnings said the organisation had rules designed to protect the tour and its members. He argued that golfers seeking membership must be prepared to follow those rules.
The policy places players in a difficult position: continue with LIV if they receive a suitable offer, or pursue opportunities on the DP World Tour and potentially preserve eligibility for European golf’s traditional competitions.
LIV Golf Faces More Uncertainty
LIV Golf was launched in 2021 with substantial financial backing and the ambition of challenging the established structure of professional golf. Its team format and large contracts attracted players who had previously competed mainly on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour.
However, its future has become increasingly uncertain following the end of the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s financial support after 2026.
The league has been seeking backing for a proposed new phase known as LIV Golf 2.0. But recruiting and retaining top players may be more difficult if they risk losing access to other tours.
The DP World Tour’s decision could influence contract negotiations and force players to consider the long-term consequences of their choices. A golfer may receive a substantial offer from LIV but also need to assess the value of traditional tour membership, ranking points and eligibility for international team events.
The uncertainty is not limited to players. Sponsors, broadcasters, tournament organisers and fans also need clarity about which golfers will compete in future events.
Players Must Decide Their Next Move
The decision has already become relevant to the plans of several prominent golfers.
Jon Rahm’s attorney said the Spaniard would not participate in LIV Golf 2.0, while Sergio Garcia had previously indicated that he wanted to continue playing on the DP World Tour but had not completely closed the door on LIV’s next phase.
Other players are also assessing their options. Their decisions may depend on the financial terms offered, their competitive ambitions and the importance they attach to traditional tour membership.
The situation could produce further movement between golf’s competing organisations. Players who decide against LIV may seek to return to established tours, while those who remain with the breakaway league could face restrictions on where they compete.
The DP World Tour’s policy may also strengthen the bargaining position of traditional tours as they attempt to protect their membership structures.
What It Means for Golf in 2027
The disagreement highlights a wider question about the future of professional golf: can the sport find a system that allows leading players to compete together without undermining the rules and commercial interests of individual tours?
Rory McIlroy has recently said that he would support welcoming some former LIV players back to the traditional circuits, arguing that their presence could increase revenue and improve competition. However, he also acknowledged that players who remained loyal to established tours might feel unfairly treated if returning golfers were immediately readmitted.
That difference of opinion shows how complicated a possible reconciliation will be.
For now, the DP World Tour has made its position clear: players participating in LIV Golf 2.0 will not receive membership for the 2027 season. The decision leaves golfers with important choices to make and adds another chapter to the ongoing dispute.
The impact will become clearer as players announce their plans and the tours publish their regulations and schedules for next year.
