LIV challenges DP World Tour policy as October relaunch decision nears

LIV Golf has challenged the DP World Tour's decision to deny membership next season to golfers who continue playing on the breakaway circuit, as it works towards a possible relaunch. BBC Sport reported that LIV's lawyer raised concerns at a New Jersey Bankruptcy Court hearing on Wednesday, arguing that the policy could disrupt discussions with players during its restructuring.

Rob Fitzgerald, representing LIV for law firm Gibson Dunn, said the timing of the European tour's stance threatened both player negotiations and the wider reorganisation. He also raised concerns about competition between the tours. Judge Michael B. Kaplan said comments he had read caused concern, according to the BBC's account. Those remarks did not resolve the dispute or establish that the DP World Tour had acted improperly.

The DP World Tour declined to respond to Fitzgerald's statement. Its chief executive, Guy Kinnings, had told BBC Sport on Monday that golfers would have to choose between the circuits. That represents a tougher approach than previous arrangements: conditional releases had allowed players including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to compete on both tours.

Fitzgerald identified two requirements for a reconstituted LIV: completing structural arrangements connected to investment from BC Partners and signing enough players by October 25 to sustain a viable league. He told the court that a decision on whether to proceed or wind down was expected by the end of October. A relaunch therefore remains uncertain, rather than an agreed outcome of the proceedings.

According to BBC Sport, LIV sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September after Saudi Arabia withdrew its funding. The organisation hopes to finish restructuring in early 2027. Player contracts are being rejected through that process, leaving golfers without an obligation to remain. Wednesday's hearing included the rejection of 19 contracts, among them those of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, following an earlier adjournment while players sought clarity about speaking to other parties.

The financial timetable is also pressing. Fitzgerald said that once LIV's future became clear, payments to host venues, suppliers and others would need to begin soon so events could be arranged. BBC Sport reported that LIV owes participants at least $45 million. With player recruitment and the investment structure still being worked on, the end-of-month decision is the next stated milestone for the proposed league.