Lee Westwood has voiced serious concerns regarding the long-term stability of the DP World Tour following the abrupt collapse of LIV Golf. The 53-year-old Englishman, who joined the Saudi-backed breakaway in 2022, acknowledges that LIV’s wind-down is a significant victory for the PGA Tour but warns that the European circuit may not be as financially robust as previously assumed. With LIV confirming it will cease operations after the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew support and potential new investors pulled out, the golfing landscape has shifted dramatically, leaving the DP World Tour to navigate a complex post-LIV era.
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Rory McIlroy, Westwood’s former Ryder Cup teammate, has aligned with DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings in asserting that LIV’s primary objective was to “destroy” their European rivals. While the end of LIV removes a direct competitive threat, Westwood questions whether the DP World Tour is currently in a strong enough position to capitalize on this development. The former world number one suggests that the prolonged financial war and player exodus may have left the European tour with structural vulnerabilities that will require immediate strategic attention to retain top-tier talent and broadcast rights.
The collapse of LIV marks a pivotal moment for global golf, ending a three-year saga that fractured the sport’s elite. Although the PGA Tour emerges as the clear beneficiary of the dispute, Westwood’s caution highlights the fragility of the European market. As the DP World Tour looks to consolidate its position, it must address the lingering effects of the LIV era, including player loyalty and revenue streams, to ensure it remains a dominant force in professional golf rather than a secondary option for elite athletes.
Source: BBC
