Greg Norman and LIV Golf suffer massive new blow ahead of Masters
The breakaway league has received some unwanted news on the eve of the major at Augusta.
The Greg Norman-led LIV Golf have received some unwanted news on the eve of the Masters at Augusta, with an arbitration panel ruling against them in a legal battle with the DP World Tour. The case came about when players requested 'conflicting event' releases from the DP Tour in order to play the inaugural LIV Golf event in Hemel Hempstead last June.
The requests were denied, but the players competed at Centurion Club anyway and were later fined PS100,000 (A$185,000) and suspended from the Scottish Open. Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding appealed against the decision - as well as the punishments - which were stayed pending an appeal, allowing the players to compete in DP World Tour events.
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The number of appellants then grew to 16 before Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace and Otaegui withdrew from the case, which was heard behind closed doors by Sports Resolutions UK. The panel heard five days of arguments from lawyers for a group of 12 LIV players and those representing the DP World Tour in February.
And according to a report in The Times on Tuesday, the panel has found in favour of the DP World Tour. An official announcement could potentially come during the first round of the Masters on Thursday. A spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: "Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process conducted by Sport Resolutions, we will make no comment on any aspect of the arbitration until the decision is formally announced."
The PGA Tour is involved in a separate anti-trust lawsuit with LIV Golf and a handful of players who were suspended for playing on the Saudi-funded circuit. The Saudi government is believed to have poured $3 billion into the breakaway league, headed up by Aussie legend Norman.
In a briefing with reporters at the Dubai Desert Classic, DP World Tour director of communications Scott Crockett said: "The hearing centres solely on our conflicting event release regulation and our ability to enforce it. Every member signs up to our regulations when they pay their membership fees each year. There are precedents where they have not been granted in the past."
It remains to be seen if the likes of Lee Westwood and Poulter will appeal against the verdict, or give up their membership of the DP World Tour. LIV Golf declined to comment when contacted.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Masters, Rory McIlroy said he couldn't comment until the verdict was made officials. However he added: "If that is the outcome, then that certainly changes the dynamic of everything." Asked if he felt it was the correct decision, McIlroy said: "I'm not a lawyer. But if the arbitration panel think that's the right decision, then I have to go by what they say."
Cameron Smith gets warm reception despite LIV defection
Aussie star Cameron Smith, arguably the face of the LIV Golf movement, will head a field of 18 breakaway players taking part in the Masters. Smith said he pleasantly surprised to be embraced back into the fold at Augusta on Monday.
"I spent probably an hour out on the range already this afternoon. It was good to see some familiar faces. Lots of laughs and lots of handshakes, smiles and hugs," Smith said.
"It was really nice. I really wasn't sure what I was going to expect walking on to the range. I was just kind of letting it all happen naturally. Went out on to the range and did my stuff, did my work and, yeah, it was just a really nice experience.
"I kind of wanted that, not only for myself but just for the game of golf "There's a lot of stuff going on at the moment that doesn't need to be going on, especially in the media. I think it's definitely wound up a little bit too much.
"There's too much rubbish going on, basically. I don't think there's any kind of hatred going on between the players. We are all happy where we are, and I'm just as happy for the guys winning out on the PGA Tour as I am for the LIV golfers, as well."
Earlier this week, Norman said he plans to hold a joint celebration with all 18 LIV golfers on the 18th green if one of them manages to win the Masters.
with AAP
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