LIV challenges DP World Tour membership stance as October deadline looms

LIV Golf has challenged the DP World Tour’s decision to deny membership next season to players who remain on the breakaway circuit, as it works towards a deadline for securing its own future. According to BBC Sport, LIV’s lawyer raised concerns about the policy during a bankruptcy court hearing on Wednesday, October 14, saying it could disrupt negotiations with players and the wider restructuring effort.

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Rob Fitzgerald, of Gibson Dunn, told the New Jersey Bankruptcy Court that LIV expected to determine by the end of October whether it could proceed with a reorganised league or move towards winding down. He identified two requirements: resolving the structure of an investment from BC Partners and signing enough players by October 25 to operate a viable competition. Neither outcome was presented as settled.

The dispute follows a tougher approach from the DP World Tour to golfers seeking to compete on both circuits. Its chief executive, Guy Kinnings, told BBC Sport on Monday that players would have to choose. Conditional releases had previously allowed players including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to combine appearances on the two tours. The DP World Tour declined to comment on Fitzgerald’s statements in court.

Fitzgerald argued that the timing of the membership stance risked undermining LIV’s player discussions and raised competition concerns. Judge Michael B. Kaplan said the comments he had read caused concern. The BBC report did not describe a ruling against the DP World Tour; the interference claim remained LIV’s position in the proceedings.

LIV sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia withdrew its funding. The organisation hopes to complete its court-supervised restructuring in early 2027. Player contracts have been rejected during that process, leaving players free of obligations to continue with LIV. At Wednesday’s hearing, 19 contracts, including those of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, were rejected after consideration had been postponed from the previous week.

Fitzgerald said clarity over the proposed league would need to be followed quickly by payments to venues, suppliers and other parties so that events could be prepared. Separately, Rory McIlroy defended the DP World Tour’s right to revise its rules, describing the policy as a way to protect its business. With the investment arrangements and player commitments still unresolved, LIV’s proposed continuation remains uncertain.