LIV Golf alleges DP World Tour is interfering with its restructuring

LIV Golf has accused the DP World Tour of attempting to interfere with its Chapter 11 restructuring after the European tour announced it would refuse membership to any player who competes on the breakaway circuit next season. During a New Jersey bankruptcy court hearing, LIV attorney Rob Fitzgerald said the organization was "quite concerned" by the DP World Tour's stance and described the timing as a clear effort to disrupt LIV's player negotiations and broader reorganisation.

Fitzgerald told the court that LIV expects to know by the end of the month whether it can continue operating under a "LIV 2.0" model, pending two critical elements: investment from BC Partners and securing a sufficient number of players by the 25th of the month. He added that the league is working "around the clock" on both player recruitment and structural issues.

DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said players must make a choice, reinforcing the tour's tougher policy on dual participation. The tour declined to comment on Fitzgerald's remarks.

Judge Michael B. Kaplan acknowledged that the comments raised concerns and asked for clarification on LIV's timeline. Fitzgerald indicated that a decision on the league's future would be made by month’s end, after which the debtors would need to begin payments to venues and vendors to schedule upcoming events.

LIV filed for Chapter 11 protection in September after Saudi backing was withdrawn and hopes to complete its restructuring by early 2027. In the latest hearing, contracts for 19 players, including Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson, were rejected, allowing those players to discuss future options with third parties. The league currently owes at least $45 million to its participants.

Former LIV member Patrick Reed, now playing on the DP World Tour, said he felt welcomed from the start and enjoys competing solely on that circuit. Six-time major champion Rory McIlroy described LIV as being in a state of flux and praised the DP World Tour for being "more than accommodating" to players leaving the competition, noting the tour’s right to change its rules to protect its business.