Tom McKibbin & 7 Others Granted LIV Golf Release by DP World Tour | 2026 Season

February 21, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

Eight members of the DP World Tour have been granted conditional releases to participate in conflicting LIV Golf tournaments in 2026, the tour announced Saturday. Among those released are Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin, Tyrrell Hatton, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie.

The DP World Tour stated that each golfer accepted specific conditions to secure their release, including full payment of any outstanding fines related to previous breaches of tour regulations. Players must also commit to participating in additional DP World Tour events, fulfill associated media obligations, and actively promote the tour. All pending appeals related to previous disciplinary actions have been withdrawn.

“The conditions these members have accepted will provide additional value to the DP World Tour and benefit to the entire membership,” the tour said in a statement. Provided each player adheres to the terms of their individual release, they will not face further disciplinary action for competing in LIV Golf events during the 2026 season and will retain their DP World Tour membership.

McKibbin, who joined Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf team for the 2025 season, recently qualified for both the Masters and The Open after winning the Hong Kong Open in November. His participation in LIV events had previously been subject to tour regulations.

Notably, Jon Rahm himself was not included in the group granted releases, a decision that has raised questions about his future participation in the Ryder Cup, according to bunkered.co.uk.

The DP World Tour emphasized that these releases are not intended to set a precedent. Any future requests from other members seeking permission to play in conflicting LIV Golf tournaments will be evaluated individually, based on their own merits and in accordance with existing tour regulations. The tour reiterated that disciplinary measures will continue to be enforced against any member competing in LIV Golf events without proper authorization.