How Much Did LIV Golf Pay to Keep Their Former Pro’s Career Intact? Its Tactics Backfire for the $700B Giants

When all the defectors from the PGA Tour and the European Tour left, never had they imagined that they would be able to or would want to go back to their home leagues. However, yesterday a sort of unique history was made when the DP World Tour accepted back their defector Bernd Wiesberger.

The news spread like wildfire, to the utter disbelief of many. However, what is also a matter of much significance is the fact that LIV Golf, who tried many measures for the players in the beginning and bound them through contracts, had to pay the price this time.

LIV Golf pays the price for Bernd Wiesberger’s good fortune

Ever since the $3 billion merger between the rival golf leagues was announced back in June 2023, things have definitely changed. The PGA World Tour and the European Tour that was dead set against LIV Golf have become lenient. While PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan indicated that he would allow the defectors to come back to the American league, the DP World Tour was against it.

In fact, last year, the DPWT imposed fines on players like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter for competing in LIV events despite being the Tour’s members. In response, those players resigned. But giving the world a surprise yesterday, the Tour announced that they have welcomed back Bernd Wiesberger.

However, securing the next year on his home tour was no piece of cake for Wiesberger who had fines on him worth £1.5million which amounts to 1,637,533 in US Dollars. But with a stroke of luck, his LIV bosses made the payment owing to an obligation that was made when Wiesberger signed with them last year. The Saudi player kept all its players tied in contract from the beginning. And when they fired Wiesberger, the policy backfired on them and they had to pay hefty fines.

In the last two years, he has played 22 events but his team Cleeks GC captain Martin Keymer was in a state of confusion after his contract was not renewed for next year, Wiesberger himself felt much unsafe. And though he was let go by the Saudi league, he found a savior in his old Tour when he conveyed his wish to play on DPWT in 2024. He completed all financial and tournament sanctions and was happy to be back.

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Bernd Wiesberger makes jolly announcement of his comeback on DPWT

Announcing his return for the next season, Wiesberger shared his thoughts on the Internet. He revealed that the DP World Tour will be his focus for 2024. He emphasized that he never resigned from his membership and that he was grateful for the chance to be able to play a full schedule once again,

The DP World Tour said that Wiesberger’s “request for reinstatement has been granted by DP World Tour Chief Executive Keith Pelley” as per the regulations. Now, Wiesberger will have a Tour to play on for next year.

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