Lee Westwood expressed concern about the apparent disappearance of himself and other LIV golfers from media coverage of the DP World Tour, saying it could put off current and future sponsors.
Some critics first claimed on the DP World Tour Spaniard Adrian Otegui It didn’t get enough coverage when he led the Andalusian Masters.
Spaniard becomes first LIV golfer to win on DP World Tour circuit when he clinches title Six strokes to win at the Andalucia Mastersbut some said his victory was underreported due to his allegiance to Greg Norman’s costume.
Ian Poulter was also upset at last year’s DP World Tour, when he claimed he was denied filming him at D+D Prague Real Czech Masters Showcased on his social media platforms.
The PGA Tour is also trying to erase LIV golf stars from their recent history by not including them in promotional materials for upcoming events, many said.
Now, the Twitter account @flushingitgolf has posted a media release about the DP World Tour’s upcoming Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, which mentions several previous winners but not 2020 winner Westwood, who Will be returning to the tour and is also a LIV golfer.
“The European Tour is following the PGA Tour’s lead and trying to ignore history,” the social media post read. “Lee Westwood is in the game, he won in 2020 and has been integral to Europe’s Ryder Cup dominance. Ignore it’s playground, ‘you’re not my friend anymore’ behavior. “
Westwood himself responded to the post on Twitter, saying that while he wasn’t too worried about being left out of the publicity, he did wonder what the DP World Tour sponsors were doing with the alleged snub.
I won’t lose sleep. However, I do wonder how long-time sponsors like HSBC and Rolex feel about this behavior. They are the ones paying and I wonder if their best interest is being served.January 6, 2023
“I don’t lose sleep,” Westwood said. “However, I do wonder how long-term sponsors like HSBC and Rolex see this behaviour. They are the ones paying the bills and I wonder if their best interests are being served.”
It’s only the beginning of the season, but the attacks and abuse have already begun between LIV golfers and DP World and the PGA Tour – and with more LIV golfers expected to play regular events when they can, and the Grand Slam Consistently, the feud will only get worse.
Fellow LIV golfers Poulter and Henrik Stenson were also on the course in Abu Dhabi, with Poulter one of the louder players fighting to stay on the DP World Tour , and Stenson of course had to give up his Ryder Cup captaincy because he joined a Saudi-backed organization.