LIV Golf players vs DP World Tour set for London hearing

The number of appellants then grew to 16, but Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace have since withdrawn from the case, which will be heard behind closed doors by Sports Resolutions UK.

While the PGA Tour is involved in a separate anti-trust lawsuit with LIV Golf and a handful of its players who were suspended for playing on the Saudi-funded circuit, DP World Tour officials have stressed the “narrow parameters” of the arbitration case.

In a briefing with reporters at the Dubai Desert Classic, Tour director of communications Scott Crockett said: “The hearing centres solely on our conflicting event release regulation and our ability to enforce it.

“Every member signs up to our regulations when they pay their membership fees each year. There are precedents where they have not been granted in the past.”

The LIV players will doubtless point out that releases have previously been granted to play on the PGA Tour, with whom the DP World Tour have a strategic alliance.

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Henrik Stenson, who is not among the 13 appellants but lost the Ryder Cup captaincy after joining LIV, said: “There are multiple tours in the world. As long as you fulfil your (membership) criteria and earn your right to be there, you should be able to play in as many tournaments as you like.”

The verdict will not be known until several weeks after the hearing, but will be eagerly anticipated by both sides.

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