Keith Pelley’s statement reads as follows:

“There has been a leak to the media of a letter we received on behalf of a number of LIV Golf players which contains so many inaccuracies that it cannot remain unchallenged.

“Before joining LIV Golf, players knew there would be consequences if they chose money over competition. Many of them at the time understood and accepted that. Indeed, as one player named in the letter said in a media interview earlier this year; ‘If they ban me, they ban me.’ It is not credible that some are now surprised with the actions we have taken.”

Keith Pelley continued:

“The letter claims that these players ‘care deeply’ for the DP World Tour. An analysis of the past participation statistics on our Tour in recent years of several of the leading players named, suggests otherwise.

“One player in particular named in the note has only played six Rolex Series events in the past five years. Another one, only four. I wish many of them had been as keen to play on our Tour then as they seem to be now, based on the fact they have either resigned their membership of the PGA TOUR or, if they are still in membership, have been suspended indefinitely.

The DP Tour Chief Executive added:

“Furthermore, given how deeply these players say they care about the DP World Tour, perhaps some of them could have played in Ireland this week in support of our new title sponsor, in particular one player who gave us a signed commitment to play at Mount Juliet.

“With that player currently in action at Pumpkin Ridge, you can imagine the allegation in the letter that we are in the wrong, is hard to accept.

“We also take great exception to an allegation made near the end of the letter which states we are somehow playing ‘second fiddle’ to the PGA TOUR. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“We held a player meeting in Ireland on Tuesday where we outlined in great detail all the many benefits of our expanded relationship with the PGA TOUR.

“One of those is an unprecedented ten cards on offer to the PGA TOUR, cards that many of the players named in this letter desperately wanted to attain in the early stages of their careers. Why now be critical of those trying to do the same?

“The letter also expresses supposed concern about the future of the DP World Tour. Rest assured no-one should have any worries on that score.

“The DP World Tour is a vibrant, independent and global Tour with increasing and guaranteed prize fund growth over the next five years. We have fantastic tournaments across the year including a host of wonderful national Opens, all played in front of huge crowds, illustrated perfectly by this week’s Horizon Irish Open.

“Finally, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any potential legal matters.

“I will simply reiterate that our Members’ Regulations which have been in force for more than 30 years, have been accepted by all the players, are there to protect all of our members, and we will use them to take all necessary steps to protect their interests.”

The statement concludes:

“The sanctions for those members who knowingly broke our rules by playing at the Centurion Club without a release are proportionate, fair and, I believe, considered necessary by the majority of our members.”

The post DP World Tour Statement on LIV Golf players’ letter appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The actions of the LIV Golf players contravened the conflicting event Regulation laid down in the DP World Tour’s Members’ General Regulations Handbook. The DP World Tour has also stated that they broke the Code of Behaviour Regulation, of which the members have been reminded on a number of recent occasions.

The DP World Tour will now take the following steps:

The players in questions will be fined £100,000 and are suspended from participating in the Genesis Scottish Open and Barbasol Championship (July 7-10) and the Barracuda Championship (July 14-17).

The DP World Tour has confirmed that money raised from the fines will be shared equally in two ways:

(i) it will be added to prize funds of upcoming tournaments on the DP World Tour, to the benefit of Members of the DP World Tour who have complied with the Release rules and

(ii) it will be distributed through the Tour’s Golf for Good programme to deserving charitable causes in the communities that the DP World Tour plays.

Commenting on the announcement, Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, stated:

“Every action anyone takes in life comes with a consequence and it is no different in professional sport, especially if a person chooses to break the rules. That is what has occurred here with several of our members. Their actions are not fair to the majority of our membership and undermine the Tour, which is why we are taking the action we have announced today.”

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With the European Tour not yet confirming a new date for the 2020 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, its chief executive Keith Pelley has assured Irish golf fans that the Irish Open is part of the Tour’s plans.

“The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is still absolutely critical and is very much part of our plans”, the chief executive confirmed. “I don’t want you to think that the Irish Open, because it is not part of this announcement, is less important, because that would give you the wrong message.”

Mr. Pelley stressed the importance of the Irish event to the European Tour, stating:

“It is hugely important to us. So much so that we have three or four date options for it. We could have announced it today but it wouldn’t have been 100% and I didn’t feel comfortable with that.”

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