LIV Golf forced to pay record-breaking fine despite releasing star to DP World Tour
Bernd Wiesberger announced his return to the DP World Tour earlier this week after two seasons with LIV Golf, and the Breakaway League played a big part in that move.
LIV Golf has paid a £1.5m fine to the DP World Tour to allow former player Bernd Wiesberger to return to Wentworth in 2024.
Earlier this week, Wisberger announced his return to the DP World Tour after a two-year sabbatical with LIV. According to The Telegraph, the Saudi-funded series waived the record fine for Wisberger’s return.
The Austrian was one of several players fined and banned from European competition following a successful arbitration earlier this year. As a result of the punishment, players such as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sergio Garcia decided to withdraw their membership to avoid further sanctions, but former Ryder Cup teammate Wisberger decided to keep his tour card. There was a good reason for that.
The 38-year-old avoided automatic relegation from the LIV circuit last month after finishing the 2023 campaign four places above the relegation zone. Wiesberger later became a free agent with support from Saudi Arabia, but chose to return to the DP World Tour instead of renewing his contract.
According to reports, Greg Norman and his players have said they will pay the fine levied against them because of the Saudi move. LIV officials seemed confident that players would be able to compete in both tournaments before they legally disappear in April.
Wiesberger’s last appearance on the DP World Tour was this year’s Dubai Desert Classic and the Austrian’s return will come two months later at the same event after suffering a tour break. Announcing his return, he said: “I am happy to announce that I will be focusing entirely on the DP World Tour next year.”
“I never canceled my membership, but I am grateful to be able to resume my full schedule. This includes the traditional national championships, which are a large part of the tournament and which we have had some success with in the past.
“I can’t wait to play there and I’m looking forward to getting back to work in Dubai in January. Thank you for your support.”
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s membership application for the 2024 season has been approved by the DP World Tour.” Wiesberger’s eligibility expired and he was kicked out of Dubai for failing to meet the minimum tournament rules for the 2023 season, playing just two tournaments: the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship and the Dubai Hero. A dessert classic.
He subsequently expressed his desire to play the full DP World Tour schedule in 2024 and served all sanctions, including financial and tournament suspensions, imposed on him for violating the tournament’s conflicting rules in 2022 and 2023. Accordingly, his request for reinstatement has been approved by DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley in accordance with the Membership Rules.”
