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While LIV Golf may have been PGA Tour’s biggest arch-rival, the European Tour isn’t far behind the Saudi-funded Tour from being a nemesis, especially since yesterday’s massive news. Four legendary European LIV golfers Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Richard Bland decided to end their decades-long DP World Tour membership. Nonetheless, one of the defectors shared some heartwrenching words about his withdrawal from European Tour.
Due to golf’s civil war, all LIV Golf players were restricted from playing in the PGA Tour, though they were initially allowed to compete in European Tour events. However, last month, DP World Tour won the landmark battle of fining their Tour players who compete in the Saudi-funded Tour £100,000 for each LIV event.
This could cost each defector more than $1 million in fines. In the wake of this penalty, four of the biggest European stars in the past three decades have decided to resign from DP World Tour. After ending his 30-year-long career with Tour, Lee Westwood shared some emotional words for his fans.
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Lee Westwood wasn’t aware of the punishments
Westwood was among the first few golfers to make the jump to the lucrative Tour. He was on the field during LIV’s first event in London last year. Nonetheless, despite being a European Tour member since 1993, Lee decided to end ties with the Tour yesterday.
USA Today via Reuters Mar 13, 2021; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; Lee Westwood waves the gallery on the 18th green during the third round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
“I never would have believed it had ended like this”, said Westwood during his recent interview with the Telegraph. The former world number one also claimed to have not known the repercussion of joining LIV Golf would be so brutal on DP World Tour’s behalf. He said, “People say I knew exactly what would happen, but nobody told us the extent of the punishments”.
Lee Westwood also added how he’s been a dual member of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour for many years, but never faced any trouble. Moreover, he defended LIV Golf by saying, “What is the difference? Just because LIV is funded by the Saudis – a country where my tour used to play and where we were encouraged to play?”.
The 50-year-old English golfer also claimed of always represented himself as a European Tour player rather than a PGA Tour player. “I had fears about the US circuit basically being bullies and doing everything it could to secure global dominance”, said Westwood. Nonetheless, as the LIV Golf star’s days with the DP World Tour have come to an end, he didn’t hesitate at taking a jibe at them.
Lee Westwood’s unfiltered rant at European Tour
After sharing his heartfelt thoughts about his resignation, Westwood then slandered the PGA Tour and European Tour. Following the initiation of LIV Golf, both PGA Tour and DP World Tour have formed a strategic alliance to overcome the lucrative Tour. And Lee isn’t a fan of that.
via Reuters Golf – The 2020 Ryder Cup – Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, U.S. – September 25, 2021 Team Europe’s Lee Westwood on the 1st hole during the Foursomes REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
“The European Tour has jumped fully in bed with the PGA Tour”, said the LIV defector. He also labeled the DP World Tour as a ‘feeder Tour’ to the American Tour. Westwood also bashed the Tour’s ‘Strategic Alliance’ since most of the European golfers are being taken away by the PGA Tour. Lee said, “Sorry, I don’t want to play under that sort of regime”.
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Though all four legends have helped in elevating the European Tour, it is time for the latter to start a new chapter. As it further builds more rigid strategies to outclass LIV Golf, more defectors will soon resign from the Tour. But none can be more impactful and devastating than the resignation of Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Richard Bland.
What do you think of Westwood’s comments? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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