Golfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway

LIV Golf rebels have been warned further sanctions are likely if they continue to play in the Saudi-backed breakaway series after the DP World Tour players involved who “wilfully broke rules” were fined £100,000 and banned from next month’s Scottish Open.

The likes of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer – all Ryder Cup veterans – are among those punished after taking part at the inaugural event in Hertfordshire earlier this month despite not having received releases to do so.

They have been warned more penalties may be forthcoming should they play in next week’s event in Portland, Oregon.

DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley refused to confirm whether Ryder Cup participation was also at stake but stressed the qualification criteria for next year’s event in Rome had not yet been finalised.

Announcing the sanctions the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, said in a statement: “It is important to note that participation in a further conflicting tournament or tournaments without the required release may incur further sanctions.”

While the PGA Tour immediately indefinitely banned all their members within minutes of the players teeing off at Centurion Club a fortnight ago the DP World Tour delayed making a decision until now.

Pelley consulted the organisation’s wider membership before the decision was taken to sanction the involved players, who in addition to the Scottish Open – traditionally used as a warm-up for the Open Championship the following week – have also been banned from PGA Tour co-sanctioned Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship next month.

“Quite simply several of our members wilfully broke our rules and regulations of conflicting tournament regulations that is