Australia’s Elvis Smylie is among eight LIV Golf players who have reached a deal with the DP World Tour allowing them to compete on both circuits. But the more significant name is the one missing from the list: Jon Rahm, whose absence throws his 2027 Ryder Cup eligibility into serious doubt.
Spain’s David Puig was not aware of what he did, but when shown a replay of the shot he agreed it was a violation and was assessed the penalty because he touched the sand while addressing the ball, violating rule 12.2b.
Spanish professional David Puig has become the first international winner since 2016 and just the second from his homeland to claim the BMW Australian PGA Championship.
With the start of the 2025 Crown Australian Open just 13 days away, the field is taking its final form with a late dash of international flavour added this week from the DP World Tour.
Receiving invites were Australia’s Lucas Herbert, Dean Burmester, Adrian Meronk and David Puig. Two of those players – Herbert and Meronk – are also inside the top 100 of the OWGR.
Some on LIV Golf accepted what can only be estimated as generational wealth. Their omission from the OWGR is not a punishment, but the price of that payday.