Eight professional golfers received approval Saturday from the DP World Tour to compete in LIV Golf tournaments during 2026, following negotiations that resulted in a conditional agreement.
However, Jon Rahm, the former top-ranked golfer worldwide and 2023 Masters winner, was excluded from this group of eight players who secured release.
The golfers who successfully obtained conditional approval include Tyrell Hatton, who plays alongside Rahm, as well as Adrian Meronk, Tom McKibbin, Laurie Canter, David Puig, Thomas Detry, Victor Perez and Elvis Smylie. Their agreement permits them to maintain their DP World Tour membership status while also participating in LIV competitions.
The approval comes with specific requirements, including settling unpaid penalties, withdrawing pending Tour appeals, and committing to greater participation in Tour competitions.
“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership,” the Tour stated Saturday. “Provided each member satisfies the conditions of their individual releases, no disciplinary action under the Regulations will be taken against them for playing in conflicting tournaments on LIV Golf in 2026 and they will retain their membership status.”
Starting in 2022, the DP World Tour implemented financial penalties for members who participated in competing events. The following year, the organization successfully defended its right to impose these sanctions through an arbitration ruling.
Rahm has openly declared his intention to refuse payment of the penalties he has accrued and continues to challenge the sanctions through appeals. This ongoing dispute threatens his qualification for the 2027 Ryder Cup competition.
“The releases apply for the 2026 season only and they are not precedent-setting,” the Tour explained. “Requests for releases will continue to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the Regulations that all members agree to abide by.”
