The role that LIV Golf is currently playing at the top level of the sport has long been panned by those who are not involved, but things seem to be coming to a head this week at Wentworth.
There are 18 players from the Saudi-backed tour teeing it up at the BMW PGA Championship, with rulings earlier this year saying that they are entitled to partake in such events.
A number of players are making their debut in the event having previously shown little interest in making their way to Wentworth. They are clearly only doing so in oder to earn world ranking points as they are not available on LIV.
The likes of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have spoken strongly on the matter in recent days, believing that those participants are taking away the opportunity to play from someone who could depend on a good finish in order to earn their tour card for next year.
There is clearly a growing animosity between different groups of players.
Graeme McDowell calls for player vote on LIV Golf
Graeme McDowell has been one of the most outspoken defectors, defending the move at every possible turn.
He is also in the field at Wentworth this week, and while he does not feel as though a court of law should intervene in their ability to play in such events, he would have no issue with the players on the DP World Tour having a vote on the matter.
I don’t care about anything a courtroom suggests, this to me is about DP World Tour members and whether they feel like me and the other big names that are playing LIV Golf can bring any value to this Tour moving forward.
If they think that’s something they don’t want, great; let’s get to that decision and move on because the lack of clarity is just not good for anybody.
I wish I’d have asked the question at the (players) meeting the other night. What is the process? Is there a way to expedite it? Does it have to happen in a court of law?..
It’s mind-boggling that it’s gotten to this point, that the future of their golf careers is up to one person [a judge]. It’s crazy. They put themselves in that position...
I mean what am I here for this week? I’m here for competitive golf and the world rankings.
I don’t typically play for charity much but if it meant I could come and play golf in Europe and give my prize money to charity every week and that made everyone happy, then let’s go.
It’s a bigger-picture conversation. I just wish there was an easy solution. I hate it’s divided people, pulled friendships apart, hurt a Tour I care deeply about which is this one.
The PGA Tour can suck up a loss like me very easily, I’m a blip on their radar, but I feel like I’m a part of whatever this is and put a lot of heart and soul into the last 20 years so it does hurt me that I’m hurting these players the way we are.
We can't imagine that vote would go well. McDowell would shoot a -1 round of 71 to find himself in a tie for 73rd place.
It could well be the last time we see him in the tournament moving forward.
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