With no PGA Tour and no LIV Golf action this week, all eyes are on the DP World Tour for the BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth, Surrey.
This is a big week in more ways than one. Firstly, this is the DP World Tour's flagship event and the field is elite. Recent FedExCup champion Rory McIlroy headlines a tee sheet that includes Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry. Secondly, we are going to see the “LIV defectors” join them. Referees at the ready! But seriously, there's bound to be some animosity in the locker room as the likes of Patrick Reed, Talor Gooch, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter make the journey from Boston to England to compete.
But why are they allowed to be there? Even though the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour have an “operational joint venture partnership,” LIV golfers haven't been banned from the European Tour. An injunction temporarily prevents the DP World Tour from suspending them, so alas they are competing.
Last week, LIV golfer and Ryder Cup Europe superstar Martin Kaymer said he had chosen to withdraw from the tournament due to “potential player friction.” Additionally, Rory McIlroy said, “It’s going to be hard for me to stomach going to Wentworth in a couple of weeks’ time and seeing them there;” U.S. Open champion Fitzpatrick predicted that it's going to be “awkward.”