Report: European LIV pros to wait until AFTER Masters to discover Ryder Cup fate
A decision in the DP World Tour v. LIV Golf hearing which would have profound implications for the 2023 Ryder Cup is taking longer than expected.
European LIV Golf players hoping to find out whether they are effectively banned from their home circuit and forced out of Ryder Cup qualifying will have to wait even longer than anticipated, according to a report.
Per Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail, it is said a decision in the DP World Tour v. LIV Golf hearing is not going to be made anytime soon.
On 6 February, the Sports Resolutions UK hearing began behind closed doors in London, overseen by a former high court judge.
Related: 'Crazy' restrictions emerge of LIV contracts
One player eagerly anticipating the result is Lee Westwood, who attended the hearing in person to give evidence.
Westwood later said he was informed the decision would take 'two to three weeks' with the result being published on their website.
Now it appears the outcome might not be given until after The Masters, according to the report.
This would surely present a profound headache for European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.
Donald, who replaced Henrik Stenson after he signed for the breakaway tour, has previously spoken of how he's had sleepless nights owing to the uncertainty of what his side will look like.
Related: Stenson wants balance to LIV debate
That being said, he has stated that any LIV animosity would not overshadow the dust-up at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome this September.
This news comes as it has now been confirmed that LIV players who have already qualified or are otherwise exempt will not be prohibited from competing at the four major championships this year.
Elsewhere, U.S. Ryder Cup skipper Zach Johnson admitted the situation was 'fluid' when asked about the prospect of LIV players appearing in his side.
The PGA Tour have banned players who have signed lucrative deals with LIV. Their separate legal battle is moving at a much, much slower rate.
A trial date has been penned for January 2024.
PGA Tour attorneys were dealt what was described as a huge win earlier in the month when a federal judge ruled they could add LIV's Saudi backers, the PIF, and its governor to their countersuit.
A separate judge later rejected a motion by PGA attorneys to delay proceedings even further, given the case's complexity.
The judge wanted to stick to the agreed schedule.
Depending on the result of the European-based hearing, it would surely have profound implications across the pond.
How can one side have LIV players and the other not? Who knows what will happen.
If the likes of Westwood, Ian Poulter et al are successful then it would open the door for several LIV players to be in contention for Ryder Cup selection.
One of them is Spain's Adrain Otaegui. Poulter has said that he has 'no chance' of a captain's pick and would need to qualify.
Next page: G-Mac would be upset if he's never a captain
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