LIV Tour Opener Garners Interest from Westwood and Bland, But Will They Play?

What the field will end up being for the opening event of the lucrative LIV Tour in London on June 9 is one of the hottest questions in golf.

Golfers will be enticed by the reportedly high appearance fees being offered by the league that’s backed by money from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, but LIV CEO Greg Norman has already hedged his bets on who will actually be able to play. But at Wednesday’s press conference in advance of the British Masters on the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour), two of its more well-known golfers acknowledged their interest in playing in the event.

Lee Westwood, who is eighth all-time with 25 wins on the DP World Tour to go with two PGA Tour titles, said he’s asked both tours for an exemption to play in the event.

🗣️ “Formula One race there, Newcastle are owned by people from there, there’s been boxing fights there, snooker and darts there…”

Lee Westwood speaks to Sky Sports after confirming he has asked for a release to play in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series opener ⛳ pic.twitter.com/o900Z90BKf

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 4, 2022

Westwood didn’t commit to playing the entire tour, instead just showing interest in playing in a big tournament in his home country.

Westwood told SKY Sports:

“I love playing in England in front of the home fans. Any time there are opportunities like that, I feel like I should take it… I’m an independent contractor. I work for myself; it’s my job, and I have to do what’s right for me.”

Richard Bland, who scored his first career win at the 2021 British Masters, also confirmed that he’s trying to play in the event.

The PGA Tour’s RBC Canadian Open takes place the same weekend as the LIV Tour event, so players will need an exemption granted by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan to play. DP World Tour players also need approval, thanks partly to that tour’s strategic partnership forged with the PGA Tour last year.

Cover Image Via Sky Sports