LIV Golf has paid a record £1.5 million fine so Bernd Wiesberger can resume his DP Tour career

Bernd Wiesberger is currently serving a DP World Tour suspension. Photo: Reuters/Vincent Carchietta

LIV Golf has paid a record fine of approximately £1.5 million to ensure Bernd Wiesberger can resume his DP World Tour career.

The Austrian Ryder Cup player is currently serving a suspension for appearing in the breakaway league before his contract ended and he lost his place in the 48-man league.

Wiesberger, 38, could try to reclaim his spot at the LIV Q-School event in Abu Dhabi in two weeks, or enter the LIV free agent phase, which could see him snapped up by his former team. — captained by Martin Kaymer — or another of the 12 teams.

However, he applied for a replay in his home Tour, which was approved on the condition that he complied with the sanctions imposed for playing at LIV without permission Wentworth headquarters.

In addition to the suspension, which will keep him sidelined until at least mid-January, Wiesberger also received the largest financial penalty in golf history.

LIV paid the invoice on behalf of Wiesberger, fulfilling its obligation. when he and others were signed last year. LIV chief executive Greg Norman initially assured golfers they would be able to compete on the LIV and DP World Tour, but the Rebels lost a hearing earlier this year that ruled the Tour had the right to kick players who broke the rules. membership rules.

The verdict led to the sacking of a host of Tour members, including Ryder Cup legends Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and Graham McDowell, but Wiesberger refused to hand in his card, although since this year He only played in two Tour tournaments, he lost his playing privileges anyway.

And as he competed in more LIV tournaments (in two years in the league he appeared in 22 matches and collected over £3.5 million in prize money), the fines continued to pile up, resulting in a staggering total. He hasn't competed on Tour since the Desert Classic in January, and this $8 million tournament could very well be his next tournament in seven weeks.

«Bernd Wiesberger's application for membership for the 2024 season has been accepted by the DP World Tour,» the Tour said in a statement. regulations for the 2023 season, having played only two counting tournaments — the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

“He subsequently expressed his desire to play a full DP World Tour schedule in 2024 and complied with all sanctions — both financial and tournament — which were imposed on him for breaking the controversial rules of the Tour in 2022 and 2023.

“Consequently, his request for reinstatement was granted by the DP World Tour. Chief Executive Officer Keith Pelley, in accordance with the procedures set out in the members' bylaws.»

Wiesberger is exempt because he is one of the top 40 money earners in Tour history. He has won eight times, including the Scottish Open in 2019, and represented Europe in defeat in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. He emphasized his intention to devote himself fully to social media.

“I am happy to announce that next year I will be fully focused on the DP World Tour,” he wrote on social media. “I never gave up my membership, and so I'm grateful to have the opportunity to play a full schedule again.”

His return underscores that there is a way back for LIV players. However, it is understood that companies such as Westwood, Poulter and Co will have to pay their own fines due to the nature of their contracts. However, that could change if ongoing negotiations to merge the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund, which funds LIV, with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour go well and details of a new path back are agreed upon.