DP World Tour Threatens Sergio Garcia With Further Sanctions As He Fails To Pay £100,000 Fine
Sergio Garcia was the only one of the 17 LIV Golf players hit with £100,000 fines who failed to pay the DP World Tour
The DP World Tour have revealed that Sergio Garcia is the only one of the 17 players fined for joining LIV Golf who has yet to pay up – and he’s "given no indication he intends to."
The Tour’s statement also says that it intends to “take appropriate action” if Garcia “continues not to respect the Sport Resolutions panel’s decision.”
The Spaniard was one of the high-profile resignations from the DP World Tour alongside Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood – all of whom were fined for playing in the LIV Golf opener in London last year.
A Sport Resolutions arbitration found in favour of the Tour after an appeal, and although Westwood said he did not agree with the decision he, alongside 15 others, decided to pay their £100,000 fine.
Garcia, however, has failed to stump up the cash so far, and Keith Pelley’s organisation is not about to let him off with it, as their strongly worded statement warned of further sanctions against him.
“The DP World Tour today confirmed that 16 out of 17 players have paid their fines which were imposed for serious breaches of the Tour’s Conflicting Tournament Regulation last June,” read their statement.
“The players were each fined £100,000 – a sanction originally imposed in July 2022 and upheld last month by an independent panel appointed by Sport Resolutions.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
“The 16 players are: Richard Bland, Laurie Canter, Branden Grace, Justin Harding, Sam Horsfield, Martin Kaymer, Pablo Larrazabal, Graeme McDowell, Shaun Norris, Wade Ormsby, Adrian Otaegui, Ian Poulter, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Lee Westwood and Bernd Wiesberger.
DP World Tour update on sanctioned players.May 4, 2023
“Sergio Garcia has not paid his £100,000 fine, nor has he given any indication that he intends to. We will therefore take appropriate action if he continues not to respect the Sport Resolutions panel’s decision.
“As confirmed yesterday, Garcia announced his resignation from the DP World Tour alongside Richard Bland, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.
“Details of further sanctions for players who breached the Conflicting Tournament Regulation by playing in subsequent conflicting events without a release, will be announced next week.”
Westwood has already voiced his anger at the decision, calling the DP World Tour “a regime” and blaming the PGA Tour for bullying them into it, but it’s not sure as yet whether Garcia, the record points scorer in Ryder Cup history, is also taking a stand or is just late in paying his fine.
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Jamie Spence Facts: 18 Things To Know About The Former Player And Now DP World Tour Commentator
The Englishman enjoyed a successful career as a professional before moving into broadcasting
By Michael Weston Published
-
How To Adjust Your Driver And Why It Can Help
It's crucial that you know what you're doing if you want to change the setup of your driver to improve your ball flight. Here's our ultimate guide
By Joel Tadman Published
-
Patrick Reed Among Three LIV Golfers Invited To Iconic DP World Tour Event
Reed has been included in the field for the Open de Espana at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid later this season
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf's Ian Poulter Reveals The One Thing He Misses About Life On The PGA Tour And DP World Tour
The Majesticks co-captain admitted there was one thing he missed about life on his former tours but said the positives of his move to LIV more than made up for it
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Ian Poulter Calls For 'Compromise From All Sides' To Achieve Unity In Men's Game
The Majesticks GC co-captain explained why collaboration has to be at the forefront of golf's future if it is to thrive
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Ian Poulter ‘Gutted’ To Withdraw From Asian Tour England Event
'The Postman' was due to appear at the Asian Tour's International Series England event at Foxhills this week
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
'I'd Love Nothing More Than For Luke To Wear The Majesticks Shirt' - Ian Poulter Hopes Talented Son Will Succeed Him In LIV Golf
Ian Poulter is hopeful his eldest son Luke - who currently plays golf at the University of Florida - will succeed him at Majesticks GC in the future
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golfer Lee Westwood Set For Over-50s Debut At US Senior Open
The LIV golfer - who turned 51 in April - is set to tee it up at the US Senior Open this week in what will be his first Major appearance in the over-50s category
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The World Ranking Is Not A Reflection Of Where I Should Be' - Patrick Reed Critical Of OWGR Ahead Of Major Streak Ending
The LIV golfer has not missed a Major since 2013, but that run will come to a conclusion at the US Open next week - a fact the American believes could have been avoided
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘The R&A Won't Put Their Foot Down' - Lee Westwood Reveals Eye-Watering DP World Tour Fine And Why He Can't Play Senior Open
The former World No.1 says the only senior Major he cannot play is The Senior Open Championship due to outstanding fines owed to the European Tour
By Jonny Leighfield Published