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DP World Tour announces 4 big names have resigned their membership

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The DP World Tour today revealed it has received membership resignations from four of its best-known players.

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Richard Bland were four players that were sanctioned for serious breaches of the tour’s Conflicting Tournament Regulation committed last June and from today will take no further part in official DPWT business.

All four players made the move to LIV Golf, a sidestep that resulted in the DPWT handing out sanctions and fines, as well as banning players from the Scottish Open in 2022.

The four were among many that challenged the punishments, initially finding judgement in their favor and allowing them to compete at some of the most respected of European events, including the flagship BMW Championship at Wentworth.

However, nine months later, Sports Resolutions finally reached a verdict in favor of the ruling tour. The verdict allows further sanctions to be handed out to rebel players, prompting today’s resignations.

The DP World Tour today stated that the episode is “a consequence of their own choices,” and that the tour “has a responsibility to its entire membership to administer the member regulations which each player signs up to.”

With the 44th Ryder Cup just six months away, the confirmed loss of stalwarts Poulter and Garcia means that this week’s DPWT event at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is a chance for some lesser-known players to make their way up the list of possibles on Luke Donald’s list of picks.

Donald was asked to be European captain after the original pick, Henrik Stenson, was stripped of his captaincy for joining LIV in the early part of last year, and today’s move is also likely to see the end of any chance that some of Europe’s most legendary match-play competitors will lead the side for any future Ryder Cup.

Released on Wednesday afternoon, the full statement reads:

The DP World Tour today confirmed it has received membership resignations from Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Richard Bland and Lee Westwood who were sanctioned for serious breaches of the Tour’s Conflicting Tournament Regulation committed last June.

The DP World Tour would like to take this opportunity to thank the four players for the contribution they have made to the Tour and in particular to Sergio, Ian and Lee for the significant part they have played in Europe’s success in the Ryder Cup over many years.

Their resignations, however, along with the sanctions imposed upon them, are a consequence of their own choices.

As we have consistently maintained throughout the past year, the Tour has a responsibility to its entire membership to administer the member regulations which each player signs up to. These regulations are in place to protect the collective interests of all DP World Tour members.

The independent panel appointed by Sport Resolutions recognised this, determining that our Conflicting Tournament Regulation and its application in the circumstances did not go beyond what was necessary and proportionate to the Tour’s continued operation as a professional golf tour and that we have a legitimate interest in protecting the rights of our full membership by enforcing it.

A further update on other sanctioned members will be provided on Thursday.

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19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

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On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

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A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

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Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

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While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

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Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

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While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

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