DP World TOUR secures major victory over LIV golfers

LIV Golf is involved in quite a few legal battles, one of which is with the DP World Tour. DP World Tour events wanted the ability to fine and impose sanctions on LIV players, who effectively left their tour.

The case went to court after LIV tried to appeal this and allow their players to continue participating. In a major victory, the courts sided with DP World Tour.

A spokesperson told Golf Channel:

“Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process conducted by Sport Resolutions, we will make no comment on any aspect of the arbitration until the decision is formally announced."

This is a major loss for LIV Golf. They were trying to ensure that they could still participate in different events on different tours after having defected from the PGA Tour. While LIV golfers can still compete in the four major championships if they qualify, they cannot compete on the DP World Tour like they did when they participated in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

Rory McIlroy chimed in on the situation, as he's become a bit of an unofficial spokesperson for the PGA Tour in the debate. He said via Yahoo! Sports:

"It looks like it's not going to be announced until Thursday, so I don't really -- I don't know if I can comment on it too much. But you know, if that is the outcome, then that certainly changes the dynamic of everything a bit."

He continued:

"I'm not a lawyer. But if the arbitration panel think that's the right decision, then I have to go by what they say."

This is a big blow against LIV Golf, which has to make McIlroy and others feel pretty good.

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LIV Golf members in the Masters

Their battle with the DP World Tour may have ended in a loss but LIV Golf did win their battle over the four major tournaments. If they ordinarily qualify, any LIV golfer can play in the majors.

LIV golfers at the Masters

This means that the Masters will have PGA Tour and LIV stars pitted against one another.

This means that Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith, Mito Peirera, Joaquin Niemann, Abe Ancer, Thomas Pieters, Harold Varner III, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Na, and Louis Oosthuizen are in the Masters field right now.

They have a total of 18 players, which means there's a more than decent chance one of them takes home the victory. That would thrill CEO Greg Norman:

"If one of the guys [wins], no matter who it is, they are all going to be there on the 18th green, they are all going to be there, and that just gives me goosebumps to think about. When you walk up 18, your caddy hugs you, then you see your wife or your mum and dad."

"Now to have those 17 other guys there, that's the spirit we want. That's what these guys talk about. They are saying no matter who wins, no matter who is in that position, we are going to be there."

Currently, Cameron Smith has the best odds to win of any LIV member.