Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they delve into the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss the DP World Tour banning LIV players competing in version 2.0, Kevin Kisner calling out Rory McIlroy and the future of Tiger Woods.
Guy Kinnings, CEO of DP World Tour, said that players LIV will no longer be allowed to compete on the DP World Tour in 2027, a change of policy after having previously granted conditional releases. Is this a major blow to LIV’s future? Or just another jab between a series of recent punches?
Josh Schrock, associate news editor (@schrock_and_awe): It is certainly a last ditch effort of a haymaker. LIV is sinking into bankruptcy court, and the players are heading for the exit. By removing a place where competitive players can tee it up and keep their games strong outside of the anticipated events of LIV 2.0 10, there is little reason for players who are still in their prime (or even there) to stay with a tour that no longer offers purses of $30 million.
Josh Sens, senior writer (@joshsens). I’m tempted to call it a sleep of death, but that would imply that there is life in the league to begin with. At this point, it looks like LIV’s best bet would be to merge with Bryson’s YouTube channel. What is there that anyone wants to watch?
Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): The leagues had been in a strange coexistence; something had to give. The subtext of Kinnings’ move is that he sees this as a moment of strength. Although the DP World Tour faces its own existential questions, at the moment it has the upper hand on LIV, making this the right time to attack. It was interesting to hear LIV’s lawyers refer to Kinnings’ comments as anti-competitive at a hearing last week – we’ll see how aggressive they get in this thread going forward.
One of the reasons the players were previously granted conditional releases was to keep LIV players eligible for the Ryder Cup. How do you see this move from the point of view of the DP World Tour? Is it just trying to create separation from LIV or betting that it will actually persuade more players to leave LIV? And is there a chance this will come back and hurt his 2027 Ryder Cup team?
Schrock: It will make the DP World Tour stronger in the short term and should help end LIV as a major threat in the ecosystem. Scott O’Neil talked about working together, but at the same time LIV was trying to push the national opening away from the DP World Tour. It seems that Wentworth’s decision-makers smelled blood and saw a way to improve their product, and they took it right away. I don’t see a world where this returns to the Ryder Cup team. Honestly, it could deepen their talent pool as they look to fill spots not already targeted for their horses.
Senses: I think it’s killing two birds with one stone. Create separation, and by doing so, give players more incentive to focus on LIV. The only way it could hurt the Ryder Cup team is if Tyrell Hatton decides to stay in LIV. He is the only LIV player left from last year’s winning European team.
Dethier: I think it’s just forcing the players’ hands by making it clear that they can’t have it both ways. Each league has its own rules and restrictions. They are direct competitors. Hostility makes sense.
Six-time winner of the DP World Tour Joost Luiten told today’s Golfer the DP World Tour should make it harder for LIV players to return and they don’t like the fact that some returnees are taking spots from players who were loyal to the DP World Tour. “Four years ago (LIV players) didn’t give as much as – on the DP World Tour,” he said. “They made a decision to go after the money. And now, all of a sudden, the money is gone and they want to come back and act like nothing happened.” The DP World Tour has already issued fines but has not suspended returning players. Even if he should consider suspension, as Luiten says?
Schrock: I see no reason why players shouldn’t, as Rory McIlroy once said, “shoot the scores” needed to play where they want to play. Luiten has a point, but the DP World Tour has also benefited greatly from having these players in the field, even if it’s only for one year, so I don’t see any penalty coming.
Senses: The suspensions/fines will be more than justified, but the DP World Tour also has an interest in putting together the strongest possible fields. I think interest will win over any roadblocks to return.
Dethier: Again, we’re stuck between “what would be right for the guys who stayed” and “what would make our tour work better going forward.” There are many versions of this conversation these days. And here, Luiten’s complaints are justified. It will be interesting just to see how the DPWT weighs these complaints against, say, a mid-level LIV player looking for his next landing spot.
Kevin Kisner criticized Rory McIlroy for previous comments of wanting to grow golf in the world, but being among the players who says he received an appearance fee to play in the World Championship of India DP. “He doesn’t want to expand globally in India, he wants to get his $10 million dollars and go play in India,” Kisner said. Said of Kisner’s remarks, McIlroy has not confirmed or denied any appearance charges but he said, “people can be paid to come and play in a tournament, but at the same time do it from a place of real interest in trying to bring the sport to another country.” Any problem with one of these comments?
Schrock: Not a problem, but I really don’t see why Kisner felt the need to make a story out of nothing. People have been getting appearance fees in golf for a long time. You may want compensation and still believe in what you are doing. Not everyone is motivated by one thing. But this is the attention economy we live in. Let’s talk about it, so win.
Senses: Kisner is not wrong to say that “growing the game” is used too loosely to justify cash grabs, but his crass clickbait language reduces his point. Plus, as McIlroy noted, it’s possible for both things to be true at once. He may really love money, even if he likes the idea of going out into the world.
Dethier: McIlroy’s stature in the game is such that his appearance in any tournament is a game-changer, let alone a new tournament in a massive, but underserved, market where he’s never been. So, yes. I’m sure he got cut in the deal. But he could still stay home and generate no money or interest for the tournament or himself. McIlroy is quite upfront about his interest in the business side of things, and plays by the rules. I don’t see any problem here.
Will Zalatoris will miss the entire 2027 season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery next month, just the latest injury setback for the 30-year-old who was the runner-up in three majors in a seven-year span in 2021-22. Has there been a more talented player in recent years who has had a promising career blighted by injuries?
Schrock: My mind immediately went to Michelle Wie, but I also suggested Jason Day, whose back issues really derailed his trajectory. Anthony Kim is also worth a mention given… you know, everything.
Josh Sens: How recently are we talking? Because Tiger Woods and Michelle Wie might like to have a word. I might as well throw Collin Morikawa’s name in the hat. He hasn’t been sidelined for nearly as long as the players mentioned above, but his back problems haven’t helped him.
Dethier: Joe Burrow comes to mind. So Zion Williamson…oh, you mean the golfers? The correct answers are above, but I added only Jordan Spieth — whose wrist injury cost him in ways apparently unknown even to him — and Brooks Koepka, whose knee injury may have derailed an epic major championship run.
Tiger Woods – do you remember him?! – made headlines when he was seen hitting balls on the range at the TGR Junior Invitational in Pebble Beach, with his event company even adding the social media caption: “Back to your feed, right where this swing belongs.” Easy: Will Tiger play in 2027 Masters?
Schrock: I’m sure he will try. I have long argued that the 2027 major season, with Augusta, Pebble and The Old Course, is the right time for Tiger to take a bow and exit the competitive stage gracefully. I doubt he’ll commit to that path, though.
Senses: From your keyboard to Tiger’s ears, Josh. It would be a great way for him to go out. But I can’t imagine anything so definitive happening. I bet he will play the Masters, and that next year at this time, we will ask. . . What are the odds that Woods will play in the 2028 Masters?
Dethier: Yeah, I’d expect to see him there – he seems to be moving pretty well, all things considered. We’ll know more in the coming weeks when we see him, or not, at Hero, PNC and TGL. It’s not the Tiger Slam, but it’s what we got.
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