16 DP World Tour members have been banned from the £6.6 million co-sanctioned occasion at The Renaissance in East Lothian for taking part in LIV Golf occasions. They’ve threatened authorized motion to get again within the stellar subject.
The Scottish, for the primary time a part of each the DP World and PGA Excursions, has 14 of the highest 15 gamers on the earth competing. All 4 main champions – Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Matt Fitzpatrick – tee up on Thursday.
Senior Scots execs Stephen Gallacher and Russell Knox have lambasted LIV Golf rebels for making an attempt to “double-dip” and get again into the Genesis Scottish Open by means of the courts.
The LIV gamers – being referred to as “The Bitter 16” by these loyal to the DP World Tour – embody Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer and Sergio Garcia.
They have been all fined £100,000 and banned from the Scottish for defying tour guidelines and taking part in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf’s opening occasion final month.
A number of the 16 believed to be looking for an injunction for an eleventh hour reprieve from the ban. That transfer has clearly heightened tensions between rebels and the loyalists.
Knox, the Florida-based Scot from Inverness, is a member of the PGA Tour’s Participant Advisory Council and was unequivocal.
“In the event that they’re gone, they’re gone for my part,” he stated. “By no means to be seen once more, you received’t be missed. That’s the best way I’ve checked out it from Day 1.
“They need to try to claw their manner again as a result of they should. If that tour doesn’t get world rating factors they’re going to need to play someplace, in the event that they’re not simply doing it for cash.
“If you happen to’ve gone and also you’re proud of the choice, come clean with it, play that tour and be finished with it.
“However the guys making an attempt to double-dip, disgrace on them, truly.”
A few of Knox’s mates had ‘defected’, he added.
“They’ve gone for the cash and may you blame them for that? Not likely,” he continued.
