End of line for Westwood and Poulter on home circuit after LIV rebels’ defeat

The 2023 version of the Dubai Desert Classic could prove more historic than anybody appreciated at the time. Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter formed part of the field for what may now prove to be the final time on the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour. Barring successful appeal, news that LIV rebels have seen a sporting arbitration case also involving that tour go against them almost certainly spells the end of the line for a host of iconic European players on their home circuit. A stay on punishment was only that.

The same Dubai event featured Rory McIlroy embroiled in a tremendous final-round joust with LIV’s Patrick Reed. Reflecting on that, many observers believed the DP World Tour was wrong to challenge the ability of golfers on the breakaway circuit to also play within their own domain. Graeme McDowell stated publicly that the DP World Tour had been afforded “a great opportunity” to allow players to combine schedules.

There is, however, no doubt the rank and file of the DP World Tour grew increasingly agitated at LIV golfers and their meddling representatives rolling back into town when it suited. It has also been abundantly clear that Keith Pelley, the chief executive, and his board viewed LIV as a live competitive threat. Allowing a platform and, naturally, profile to golfers operating under the LIV banner – some of those players have equity in the business – always looked detrimental to the DP World Tour as an entity. In a sense Pelley was playing a no-lose game; had the arbitration result come out the other way, he could have told his allies at the PGA Tour that his organisation did their best while the window remained open for LIV players to boost fields in Europe. The problem would have