In a strongly-worded, 550-word response to the letter which “implored” the Tour to rethink the penalties earlier than 5pm at present, Pelley criticises the declare from the gamers that they “care deeply” in regards to the Tour, citing restricted appearances in Rolex Sequence occasions in recent times.
He additionally says that one participant – understood by the PA information company to be Graeme McDowell – gave a signed dedication to play on this week’s Horizon Irish Open, however is as an alternative contesting the second LIV Golf occasion in Portland.
Chief govt Keith Pelley has hit again on the 16 gamers who’ve threatened the DP World Tour with authorized motion until their sanctions for competing within the first LIV Golf occasion are rescinded.
Pelley declined to remark intimately on the specter of authorized motion however stated he feels the sanctions handed out are “proportionate, honest and, I consider, thought of mandatory by nearly all of our members.”
“There was a leak to the media of a letter we obtained on behalf of a lot of LIV Golf gamers which comprises so many inaccuracies that it can not stay unchallenged,” Pelley stated in a press release.
“Earlier than becoming a member of LIV Golf, gamers knew there could be penalties in the event that they selected cash over competitors.
“A lot of them on the time understood and accepted that. Certainly, as one participant named within the letter stated in a media interview earlier this 12 months; ‘In the event that they ban me, they ban me.’ It’s not credible that some are actually shocked with the actions now we have taken.
“The letter claims that these gamers ‘care deeply’ for the DP World Tour. An evaluation of the previous participation statistics on our Tour in recent times of a number of of the main gamers named, suggests in any other case.
“One participant particularly named within the be aware has solely performed six Rolex Sequence occasions up to now 5 years. One other one, solely 4.
“I want a lot of them had been as eager to play on our Tour then as they appear to be now, based mostly on the very fact they’ve both resigned their membership of the PGA Tour or, if they’re nonetheless in membership, have been suspended indefinitely.
“Moreover, given how deeply these gamers say they care in regards to the DP World Tour, maybe a few of them may have performed in Eire this week in assist of our new title sponsor, particularly one participant who gave us a signed dedication to play at Mount Juliet.
“With that participant at present in motion at Pumpkin Ridge, you’ll be able to think about the allegation within the letter that we’re within the fallacious, is tough to simply accept.”
The PA information company understands that the reference to Rolex Sequence appearances pertains to former Masters champions Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel.
Pelley added: “We additionally take nice exception to an allegation made close to the top of the letter which states we’re by some means taking part in ‘second fiddle’ to the PGA Tour. Nothing may very well be farther from the reality.
“We held a participant assembly in Eire on Tuesday the place we outlined in nice element all the various advantages of our expanded relationship with the PGA Tour.
