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In an escalating war of words, European Tour CEO Keith Pele on Friday fired back 16 players who threatened legal action if punished for ignoring tour rules. The Saudi-funded LIV is playing in golf events.
The Daily Telegraph obtained a copy of the letter to DP World Tour – the commercial name for the European Tour – in which players demanded that their fines be revoked and that they be allowed to play at the Scottish Open next week.
Lee Westwood of England plays his second shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett at The Belfry on May 06, 2022 in Sutton Coldfield, England.
(Photo by Andrew Reddington/Getty Images)
The European Tour fined players who participated in the inaugural LIV golf event £100,000. The event was outside London, the same week as a European Tour event in Sweden, and the players did not have the required releases under tour rules.
It was rare for a tour executive to go public with his criticism. Pele said the letter had “too many inaccuracies that it cannot be challenged.”
Fred Couples slams Phil Mickelson for joining Liv Golf: ‘I don’t think I’ll ever talk to him again’
Pele said players knew there would be consequences before signing up for the Rebel League and many of them accepted it. He said it was no longer credible for the players to be surprised by the punishment.
“The letter claims that these players ‘deeply care’ about the DP World Tour,” Pele said in a statement. “Analysis of past participation data of several key players named in recent years on our tour suggests otherwise.”
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pele watches during the Pro-Am ahead of the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga Golf Club on March 02, 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya.
(Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
He added that one player, Peli did not name, has played only six Rolex Series events in the past five years. They are designated as one of the elite events on the European Tour. With the biggest funds and points.
“I wish many of them were as eager to play on our tour as they seem now, based on the fact that they have either resigned their membership of the PGA Tour or, if they are still in membership , then suspended indefinitely,” he said.
He also said that the Irish Open has a new title sponsor that same week players are competing in Oregon for $25 million in prize money. Pele said one of the players at the LIV golf event had previously signed a commitment to play the Irish Open.
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The Scottish Open is the first time the tournament has been co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the European Tour, offering an $8 million purse with a 156-man field, split equally between the two tours. Next week’s Barbasol Championships in Kentucky will feature 50 European Tour players.
The Telegraph said the 16 players who signed the letter included Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia.
Majestics GC’s Ian Poulter tees on the fifth hole during the second day of the LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 10, 2022 in St Albans, England.
(Photo by Joe Maher / Liv Golf / Getty Images)
It cited the letter as saying, “Instead of spending your time, energy, financial resources and focusing on appeals, injunctions and lawsuits, we ask you, the patrons of the DP World Tour, to reconsider your recent penalties and sanctions.” , and instead focus your energies on pursuing what is better for DP World Tour members and the game of golf.”
The letter also criticized a 13-year joint venture with the PGA Tour, announced this week, which allows the leading 10 European Tour players to receive PGA Tour cards. It accused Europe of being ready to be a “second fiddle” for the US tour.
It was the latest example of growing anger between the PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Greg Norman-run LIV Golf Group.
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Earlier this week, Fred Couples told Golf.com about Phil Mickelson, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to talk to him again, why? I’m not in the same boat as him anymore, and probably never will. Golf with him again. I’m not saying that to be mean. We’re just in different classes.”
Mickelson was the main recruiter for Norman and LIV Golf. His comments insulting the Saudis, the Rebel League and the PGA Tour slowed the process of signing players to LIV Golf.