LIV Golf Accuses DP World Tour of Interference Amid Bankruptcy Proceedings
LIV Golf has alleged that the DP World Tour is deliberately attempting to derail its restructuring efforts after announcing strict membership bans. The dispute surfaced during a bankruptcy court hearing that saw several high-profile golfers released from their contracts ahead of a proposed league relaunch.
LIV Golf has accused the DP World Tour of interfering with its bankruptcy proceedings following the European circuit's decision to enforce strict sanctions against players participating in the breakaway league. The allegations were raised during a hearing in the US Bankruptcy Court in New York, where multiple marquee golfers were formally released from their existing contracts.
The league is attempting to reorganize and launch LIV 2.0 next year backed by new funding from BC Partners Capital. The move to seek fresh investment followed the withdrawal of support from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which had previously injected 5 billion dollars into the venture over four years. Under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules, LIV must terminate existing player contracts to re-sign golfers under a revised compensation model.
Complications arose after the DP World Tour confirmed a firmer stance, stating that any player who signs with LIV 2.0 will lose their tour membership and forfeit eligibility for the Ryder Cup. LIV attorney Robert Fitzgerald voiced deep concern to the court, arguing that the timing of the European tour's announcement was a blatant attempt to disrupt the reorganization and interfere with the players. Defending the position, DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings emphasized that competitors must make a clear choice and adhere to regulations established to protect the tour.
At the hearing, Judge Michael B Kaplan approved a motion to void the contracts of 19 golfers after LIV established that the existing agreements did not fit the planned framework for LIV 2.0. As a result, players including Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, and Lee Westwood are currently free to explore other avenues if they choose.
The court also finalized the departure of Jon Rahm, who agreed to waive claims against LIV's bankruptcy estate that were reported to reach as high as 150 million dollars. In return, LIV surrendered nearly all rights to Rahm’s name, image, likeness, and branding, while the golfer kept the intellectual property and trademarks for his team, Legion XIII.
The bankruptcy case will return to court for another hearing on October 20, leading into an October 25 deadline agreed upon by LIV and BC Partners to finalize player commitments.