Report - UK panel sides with European tour in fight with LIV

The European tour has won a key court case in the ongoing dispute with LIV Golf that allows the tour to fine players competing on the Saudi-funded rival league without permission, according to a London newspaper.

The Times of London reported that Sport Resolutions, a three-member arbitration panel that heard testimony in February, has ruled in favor of the European tour.

It said a decision would be announced Thursday, the same day 18 players from LIV Golf are set to compete in the Masters.

The ruling would allow the European tour to impose £100,000 fines (about $125,000) on players who compete for LIV Golf without a conflicting events release, according to the Times. It also said the tour can impose the fine on players at the inaugural LIV event last June outside London.

That has been the only LIV Golf event held in Europe. LIV is scheduled to return this year to the Centurion Club outside London, along with another event in Spain.

«Out of respect for the confidentiality of the process conducted by Sports Resolutions, we will make no comment on any aspect of the arbitration until the decision is formally announced,» said a statement from the DP World Tour, the commercial name of the circuit.

A ruling in favor of Europe means Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and others are likely to resign their membership.

It was the first court decision since LIV Golf began in June.

Rory McIlroy, one of the strongest voices against LIV Golf, was cautious with his reaction until the decision is formally announced.

«If that is the outcome, that certainly changes the dynamic of everything a bit,» McIlroy said. «I'm not a lawyer, but if the arbitration panel thinks that's the right decision, we have to go by what they say.»

The PGA