Lee Westwood, 53, expresses concern for the DP World Tour's future following LIV Golf's collapse. The Englishman, a high-profile recruit to the Saudi-backed tour when it launched in 2022, questions the European tour's strength now that LIV has wound down operations after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund withdrew support. Westwood suggests top European players may be better suited for the Korn Ferry Tour, the US feeder circuit, and believes PGA Tour boss Brian Rolapp will "play hardball" in negotiations.
He argues that with LIV gone, the DP World Tour has lost leverage it previously held. Although the American and European tours extended a strategic alliance last July, including Annual Investment Payments of £59m last year, Westwood warns there are "a lot of questions still to be answered" regarding new terms. He points out the DP World Tour has not announced prize funds for next year, raising worries about financial sustainability from 2028 onwards.
Westwood remains unemployed, considering his future while facing a 10-tournament suspension if he rejoins the DP World Tour. The PGA Tour's new competitive structure, featuring a Championship Series and Challenger Series, further complicates the landscape, with the DP World Tour mentioned sparingly in the "plan for the future.".
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing