PGA Tour ban ex-LIV Golf star despite him quitting Saudi tour
Bernd Wiesberger has been banned from competing in two PGA Tour events later this year due to his past LIV Golf loyalties.
Bernd Wiesberger has revealed that he's been barred from two PGA Tour events this year due to his former ties with LIV Golf, even though he was never part of the American circuit.
After participating in the first two seasons of the controversial LIV Golf series, Wiesberger decided to exit the rebel league and rejoin the DP World Tour for 2024.
The Ryder Cup veteran had his fines on the DP World Tour resolved and served a suspension before making a comeback at the Dubai Desert Classic in January.
Since his return, Wiesberger has competed in eight additional tournaments on the European tour, eyeing a chance to play in the US later this year, particularly at the ISCO Championship and Barracuda Championship, which are part of the DP World Tour calendar and sanctioned by the PGA Tour.
Despite the partnership between the tours, Wiesberger has been told he can't participate in these two American tournaments this summer because of his past involvement with the Saudi-funded LIV Golf.
The Austrian golfer announced the ban via Twitter, stating: "Same here. Just received a letter by the pgat banning me from playing the isco and barracuda. Never been a member either. Who knows what's going on over there..."
This was in response to similar grievances aired by Henrik Stenson, his ex-LIV Golf peer.
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In a candid chat with Mirror Sport, Henrik Stenson aired his views on the Champions Tour's controversial stance of denying US Senior PGA champion Richard Bland starts due to his affiliation with the Saudi-backed LIV series.
He remarked: "Richard Bland won the Senior PGA a week ago he found on social media that 'well you aren't going to get any starts on the Champions Tour because you play LIV.'
"I mean Richard has never even been a member of the PGA Tour but just because he plays LIV he is not able to play on the Champions Tour, it is how I understand it.
"Behind the scenes it is not as if everyone is holding hands and singing songs together, so there is still things to be worked out... It has not been ideal, but hopefully brighter minds than us can come to a solution."
The ongoing tussle between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) over the LIV Golf dispute remains unresolved, despite a year having passed since an initial framework agreement was announced.
In a bid to break the deadlock, representatives from both factions convened in New York City last Friday.
Golfing legend Tiger Woods made his presence felt at the New York meeting, while Rory McIlroy, another titan of the sport and Woods' business ally, joined the discussions via video link from the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.
McIlroy juggled the crucial talks with his participation in the tournament, where he is currently tied for seventh place, three-under-par after two rounds.
