Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell make European appeal as golf's civil war sours further

Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell last night appealed to the DP World Tour to allow them to keep playing through golf’s civil war - and for the European Ryder Cup team.

The launch of the new LIV Golf Invitational in Hertfordshire yesterday was overshadowed by the PGA Tour banning all 17 members who had teed up without permission. The news came just 30 minutes after the glitzy big tee off in a premeditated PR counter strike as the battle for golf’s soul - and cash - got dirty.

But former US Open winner McDowell revealed he had quit the America tour just half an hour before his round. And Europe’s record Ryder Cup scorer Garcia, who resigned last week, said he now wants to play the eight LIV events, the Majors and selected DP World events. If he is not banned in Europe too.

“I resigned because I don't want to get into any legal battles with anyone,” said the Spaniard. “But I haven’t resigned from the European Tour because I would like to still be a member. I'm European, I love the European Tour. I played it for 23 years.

“Obviously we're going to have to wait and see what the European Tour does. But I definitely would like to keep my membership and get my chance to make The Ryder Cup Team because I love that event. But we'll wait and see what happens over there.”

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