LIV rebels Garcia, Westwood, Poulter quit European Tour

LIV Golf players Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Richard Bland have resigned from the European Tour, the tour announced on Wednesday.

Last month, the European Tour won its legal battle with rebels after the players appealed against punishments the tour wanted to impose on those who took part in the inaugural LIV event last year.

Ryder Cup stars Garcia, Poulter and Westwood will not be eligible for the matches against the United States in Rome later this year.

"(The tour) would like to take this opportunity to thank the four players for the contribution they have made to the Tour and in particular to Sergio, Ian and Lee for the significant part they have played in Europe's success in the Ryder Cup over many years," the European Tour said in a statement.

"Their resignations, however, along with the sanctions imposed upon them, are a consequence of their own choices."

Former world number one Westwood, 2017 Masters champion Garcia and Poulter have 53 European Tour victories between them.