DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley threatens Asian Tour players with sanctions, revels in court win over LIV
- European tour’s CEO hails arbitration panel’s decision that he can enforce penalties on players who joined Saudi-backed outfit
- Tells ‘the bunkered podcast’ that members who played in rival International Series next to be punished
The head of the DP World Tour wants to punish members who have competed on the Asian Tour, after a court in the UK ruled he had a right to enforce conflicting-release rules.
But forcing players to chose between the two organisations could backfire on Keith Pelley, with the pathway from the Asian Tour to the riches of the LIV Golf circuit expected to expand next season.
Pelley, the DPWT’s CEO, issued his threat during an interview on ‘the bunkered podcast’ in which he revelled in a legal victory over LIV Golf, that backed his right to fine the likes of Ian Poutler and Lee Westwood for joining the rival organisation.
Pelley expressed his delight at the outcome and said it was a win for all sports organisations and members’ clubs, adding the DPWT would now determine “what is the best course of action to take against employees that wilfully broke our rules and regulations”.
Not content with that, Pelley said he would also see what punishment he could dish out to the likes of Asian Tour regulars Jazz Janewattananond, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Wang Jeung-hun, Gavin Green and Takumi Kanaya.
“We need to be able to regulate members’ ability to play on other tournaments that clashed with ours,” Pelley said.
