On June 28, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced a 13-year expansion to their existing “strategic alliance” to an “operational joint venture partnership.”
Despite the agreement, the circuit formally known as the European Tour operates separately from the American tour.
What does that mean? Well, it means 18 LIV Golf Series members are currently in the field for next month’s BMW PGA Championship despite those players being banned from the PGA Tour.
Jason Kokrak, Abraham Ancer and Talor Gooch are among the group of Saudi employees in the field, getting in by an exemption that allows players from the top 60 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Lee Westwood gained entry by the Race to Dubai winners exemption. Patrick Reed is also in the field.
BWM PGA: Full entry list
Each LIV Golf Series member will be subject to a six-figure fine for playing in the event, according to Golf Channel.
Several of the PGA Tour’s biggest backers are also currently in the BMW PGA field including Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jon Rahm and Billy Horschel.
Will it be awkward?
“It’s going to be odd seeing certain people at Wentworth. That is going to be a bit weird, and obviously, it’s a little bit disappointing. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens,” Fitzpatrick said after his opening-round 6-under 64 at the Tour Championship. “Obviously they’re (the DP World Tour) not quite in as strong a position as the PGA Tour are in terms of regulations. I guess we’ll just have to see how it plays out.”
The BMW PGA is scheduled for September 8-11.
The next LIV Golf Series event is next week in Boston, September 2-4.
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