The DP World Tour has announced it will not permit any player who signs up to LIV Golf next season to be a member of its circuit in 2027. This marks a significant shift from recent seasons, where conditional releases were granted to some players.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour, stated that players must "make a choice" regarding where they play. He added that the tour has rules and regulations to protect it, which members must abide by.
Players will be asked to disclose their tour intentions, which will influence membership decisions. Around 15 LIV players, including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, currently have "status" with the DP World Tour. However, the tour will not accept membership from anyone intending to play on what is being referred to as LIV 2.0.
This change in approach is understood to be primarily due to LIV offering players equity in the future, which the DP World Tour views as incompatible with its status as a members' organisation. The decision also comes as the DP World Tour negotiates its strategic alliance with the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, recently secured a possible $300m in financing from BC Partners Credit. Players have until 16 November to sign up for the DP World Tour for next year, while LIV Golf needs to sign players by 25 October.