LIV rebel Ian Poulter struggles at Scottish Open as Justin Harding seizes chance

Justin Harding made the most of his late addition to the Genesis Scottish Open with a flawless opening 65, but it was a completely different story for Ian Poulter at the Renaissance Club.

DP World Tour members who played in the first LIV Golf event last month without permission had been banned from the £6.7million tournament, plus two other events co-sanctioned with the PGA Tour, and each fined £100,000.

However, following a hearing before Sport Resolutions (UK) on Monday, the suspensions imposed on Harding, Poulter and Adrian Otaegui were temporarily stayed, pending determination of their substantive appeals.

Harding’s fellow South African Branden Grace – who won the second LIV event in Portland – was also added to the field on Tuesday, but while he returned a 69 and Otaegui a 71, Poulter slumped to an eight-over-par 78.

Harding was reluctant to go into detail about how he, Poulter and Otaegui were the only players named in Monday’s appeal decision, but added: “I think there were a couple of us who wanted to see if we could fight and get the opportunity to play this week. I was one of them.

“I don’t know who was involved in the decision-making. But we put a letter in and waited to see what the result was.”

Rory McIlroy admits the decision of LIV Golf players to insist on their right to also compete on the DP World Tour is creating resentment, while Billy Horschel accused some of the rebels of being “hypocrites and liars” in his pre-tournament press conference.

“I am by no means a fighter, I’m not confrontational so it’s an awkward situation to be in,” Harding admitted.

“I always thought it would be a bit tricky but didn’t realise it was going to be blown up as much as this. I thought it might have been handled a bit