The DP World Tour is reportedly set impose whopping, unprecedented AU$930,000 fines for golfers that compete in Saudi-funded LIV Golf events without permission.
According to The Telegraph, former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and fellow South African star Branden Grace are on the verge of handing over their memberships as the Tour continues to dish out punishments to rebel golfers, while Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer will also be weighing up their future.
The DP World Tour has the power to suspend and fine LIV Golf players after winning a recent legal battle, with an arbitration hearing ruling in its favour.
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Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia all quit last week amid growing punishments for golfers participating in the Saudi-backed breakaway circuit without seeking the permission of PGA European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley.
“The DP World Tour would like to thank the four players for the contribution they have made to the Tour and in particular to Sergio, Ian and Lee for the significant part they have played in Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup over many years,” the Tour said in a statement.
“Their resignations, however, along with the sanctions imposed upon them, are a consequence of their own choices.
“The Tour has a responsibility to its entire membership to administer the member regulations which each player signs up to.”
Westwood, Poulter and Garcia’s resignations confirmed that they would be ineligible to play at this year’s Ryder Cup in a devastating blow for European golf.
“It’s sad we’ve got to this point but this was always a possibility,” Donald told the BBC last week.
“I played with all three and they’ve been stalwarts of, and given a lot to, both the Ryder Cup and European Tour.”
Westwood and Poulter were previously fined $147,000 for missing DP World Tour events in favour of LIV Golf, although Garcia has reportedly not paid his fine yet.
Those already large fines are now set to explode in a major move from the traditional Tour against the Saudi breakaway, which could trigger the resignations of more players.
LIV Golf has reportedly covered the fines of some players, with The Telegraph reporting that it footed a $1.03 million fine bill last week, although it wasn’t made clear for what seven players it was remitting.