DP World Tour bans and fines LIV Golf rebels R1.9 million

The DP World Tour on Friday banned members who played in the inaugural Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational Series event from three tournaments and fined them £100 000 (around R1.9 million) each.

The circuit, formerly known as the European Tour, said the golfers would not be allowed to take part in the Scottish Open, the Barbasol Championship or the Barracuda Championship.

The PGA Tour slapped a ban on its members minutes after the start of the first tournament at a course outside London earlier this month.

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley, referring to members who played in the first event in the breakaway series, said: "Their actions are not fair to the majority of our membership and undermine the tour, which is why we are taking the action we have announced today."

Nine South African golfers took part in the first LIV Golf event, namely Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, Charl Schwartzel, Justin Harding, Shaun Norris, JC Ritchie, Hennie du Plessis, Oliver Bekker and Ian Snyman.