LIV challenges DP World Tour stance as court approves BC Partners agreement

LIV Golf challenged the DP World Tour’s decision to exclude players competing on its proposed successor circuit next season, as a New Jersey bankruptcy hearing on Wednesday addressed the league’s future. BBC Sport reported that LIV’s lawyer, Rob Fitzgerald, accused the European tour of interfering with efforts to recruit players and reorganise the business.

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Fitzgerald told the court that LIV expected to know by the end of October whether it would proceed with LIV 2.0 or move towards winding down. He identified securing enough players by October 25 and resolving the structure of BC Partners’ investment as the key outstanding tasks. The proposed competition therefore remains dependent on both recruitment and financing arrangements.

The DP World Tour declined to comment on Fitzgerald’s remarks, according to BBC Sport. Its chief executive, Guy Kinnings, had said players would have to choose between the circuits. That represents a change from conditional releases previously arranged for golfers including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who had been able to compete on both tours.

Separately, Golf Channel reported that Judge Michael B. Kaplan approved LIV’s agreement with BC Partners, which includes $300 million in loans and investments. Under the term sheet, players would hold 52.5% of the reorganised league, with 45% allocated to BC Partners and any minority investors and 2.5% to management. Kaplan cautioned that this approval did not itself confirm a restructuring plan or approve a disclosure statement.

The court also approved rejection of 19 player contracts, including those of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, Golf Channel reported. The next hearing is scheduled for October 20. Although the agreement sets October 25 as the player commitment deadline, BC Partners may extend or waive it and will determine the required number and identity of participating golfers.

LIV announced its Chapter 11 filing and restructuring support agreement on September 8, setting out a proposed shift to majority player ownership. In that announcement, the league said it intended to emerge from the process in early 2027, subject to court and stakeholder approval. Wednesday’s proceedings advance that proposed reorganisation without settling whether the new league will ultimately go ahead.