Lee Westwood has expressed concern regarding the future of the Europe-based DP World Tour following the sudden collapse of LIV Golf. The 53-year-old English golfer was among several high-profile athletes who joined the controversial Saudi-backed breakaway tour when it launched in 2022.
LIV Golf Collapse and Future Uncertainty
LIV confirmed its intention to wind down operations after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew financial backing and potential investors failed to secure a deal to continue the circuit in a new form. While the collapse is viewed as a victory for the USA’s PGA Tour, Westwood questioned whether the DP World Tour is truly in a strong position moving forward. He noted to BBC Sport that the disappearance of LIV might not be a positive outcome for the European circuit.
Although LIV players faced bans from the PGA Tour, they retained eligibility for certain DP World Tour events, which Westwood stated provided leverage that has now vanished. He suggested that Europe’s top players might find better prospects on the Korn Ferry Tour, the US feeder circuit, as the PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp is likely to play hardball during ongoing strategic alliance talks. Westwood emphasized that if the DP World Tour relies on the PGA Tour for financial backing, significant demands will follow.
DP World Tour Response and Upcoming Schedule
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour told BBC Sport that the organization remains in a robust and healthy position backed by strong cash reserves. The spokesperson added that this progress is remarkable given the havoc caused in the global golf market by an unsustainable economic model that inflated prize funds artificially, and expressed strong optimism for the 2027 season and beyond.
Westwood, who did not commit to LIV’s proposed successor and remains unattached while considering his future, would face a 10-tournament suspension if he chose to rejoin the DP World Tour. Highlighting the PGA Tour’s new competitive structure featuring the Championship Series and Challenger Series, Westwood pointed out that the DP World Tour has only announced the prize fund for a single event in 2027, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in January.
Westwood stated that the PGA Tour’s plan prioritizes the Korn Ferry Tour as the main route into the American circuit, leaving the future of the European tour unclear. He questioned what prize funds will look like from 2028 onward and noted that numerous questions remain regarding the strategic alliance partnership.
