LIV Golf Update: Is Harold Varner III Still Part of Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces Following the Reported Arrest?

As part of a dual trade in LIV Golf, Harold Varner III and Talor Gooch switched teams. Varner III found his new home in Dustin Johnson‘s 4 Aces, and Gooch moved to Smash GC. But after the recent arrest turmoil that has hit the recently traded 4Aces star, will he continue to be a part of the team? Or did it mean that he had to say goodbye to his place in the Saudi-funded league?

Varner’s arrest has raised questions about his future on the LIV Golf Tour and his status as a member of the 4Aces. According to the Saudi-funded league’s official website, Harold Varner III is still listed as a member of the 4Aces and is scheduled to play in the next event, the LIV Golf Mayakoba, starting on February 2.

Jan 20, 2022; La Quinta, California, USA; Harold Varner III plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the American Express golf tournament at La Quinta Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

He made his LIV debut in 2022 and played in various events. This year, Varner earned $4 million when he won the individual event on the Norman-led circuit. But, after his arrest, the situation might change for next season. Harold Varner III was arrested for driving under the influence on Thursday night. He was driving on Providence Road in South Charlotte, North Carolina, “while impaired by a substance.”

The LIV Golf star had a breathalyzer test that showed he had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood. He was taken to the Mecklenburg County jail and released after paying a $500 fine. Notably, neither the league nor his team’s captain have issued any official statements regarding the golfer’s arrest. The Saudi-backed league has a strict set of rules that it abides by in such cases, and it will sure be nail-biting to see the kind of action or statement they make in this scenario.

LIV Golf’s strict rules and regulations in Harold Varner III’s like nuisances

According to ESPN, LIV Golf has a strict code of conduct for its players, which might include on-course etiquette, gambling, drug use, or being convicted of a crime. The player under investigation gets an interim notice with the details of the case and the possible penalties. Players have 10 days to respond with their side of the story in written format.

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After that, the league will send a final notice. The player can challenge the decision through a simple or standard appeal process, depending on the severity of the violation. LIV Golf can ban the player from playing while the appeal is ongoing. The penalties range from a warning or a reminder in the players’ newsletter to fines ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 to being expelled from the league for two years or forever.

However, Varner III will face his DWI charge in court on January 19, 2024, almost two weeks before the new LIV Golf season begins in Mayakoba, Mexico. Stay tuned to find out the final verdict on the matter or to get to know about the probable LIV Golf’s statement. 

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