Players from the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series will be permitted to compete at the upcoming Scottish Open tournament after their recent suspensions by the DP World Tour were temporarily lifted.
The likes of Ian Poulter, Justin Harding, and Adrian Otaegui will join the field for the event at The Renaissance Club after a stay was granted at a Sport Resolutions (UK) hearing.
Go deeper with GlobalData
As well as the suspensions, the DP World Tour sanctions for the players included £100,000 ($120,000) fines for competing in the inaugural breakaway LIV Invitational Series last month (June).
The tour had suspended the players from this week's Scottish Open and Barbasol Championship (July 7-10), along with next week's Barracuda Championship (July 14-17).
In a statement released yesterday (July 4), Keith Pelley, the chief executive of golf’s DP World Tour, said: “I will simply say we are disappointed by the outcome of the hearing but will abide by the decision.
“It is important to remember, however, this is only a stay of the sanctions imposed, pending the hearing of the players’ appeal as to whether those sanctions were appropriate.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData“The makeup of the field for the Genesis Scottish Open will be advised in due course, but based on this decision the field size will increase beyond 156. We will make further comment on this in due course.”
Other players who were banned either missed the chance to appeal or were happy not to play in the tournament.
Poulter and 15 other players who joined the LIV circuit have threatened to take legal action if their sanctions for competing in the new series are not fully overturned.
LIV’s second Invitational Series event and first in the US took place in Oregon last week.
The new Saudi-backed circuit has recruited several high-profile names from both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour including Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson.
The PGA Tour also suspended players that have made the switch.
LIV Golf, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will reportedly reimburse players for fines they receive and also cover legal costs if they choose to challenge suspensions.
As well Poulter and Westwood, the likes of Sergio Garcia, Laurie Canter, Martin Kaymer, and Louis Oosthuizen are among the DP World Tour players that featured in the debut LIV event in London and are competing in Oregon.
