European chief Keith Pelley fires back at threat of legal action

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In an escalating war of words, European tour CEO Keith Pelley fired back Friday at 16 players who have threatened legal action if they remain punished for ignoring tour regulations by playing in the Saudi-funded LIV golf events.

The Daily Telegraph obtained a copy of the letter to the DP World Tour — the commercial name of the European tour — in which players demanded their fines be rescinded and they be allowed to play in the Scottish Open next week.

Lee Westwood of England plays his second shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett at The Belfry on May 06, 2022 in Sutton Coldfield, England.  (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

The European tour fined players who competed in the inaugural LIV Golf event 100,000 pounds. The event was outside London, the same week as a European tour event in Sweden, and players did not have releases required under tour regulations.

It was rare for a tour executive to go public with his criticism. Pelley said the letter contained "too many inaccuracies that it cannot remain unchallenged."

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Pelley said players knew before choosing to sign up for the rebel league there would be consequences and many of them accepted that. He said it wasn't credible for players to now be surprised by the punishment.

"The letter claims that these players ‘care deeply’ for the DP World Tour," Pelley said in his statement. "An analysis of the past participation statistics on our tour in recent years of several of the leading players named suggests otherwise."

Keith