DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley defends against ‘the LIV propaganda machine’ following players meeting

DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley came to the defense of his circuit and players this week following a players meeting at Wentworth where LIV Golf players competing at the BMW PGA Championship reportedly questioned the status of the European Tour. 

Pelley spoke to reporters about Tuesday’s meeting but declined to get into specifics over what was discussed, adding only that reports about a “poor state of the traditional golfing world” are “just not right.”

“There were a couple of questions from LIV players that I think we answered, and the meeting was over in a very short time,” Pelley explained. 

“As I said to our partners and sponsors on a Zoom call last week, it is easy to get dragged down by the LIV propaganda machine, churning out negative news stories and misinformation about the poor state of the traditional golfing world, including our tour. It’s just not right.”

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Pelley was seemingly referring to issues reportedly raised by 12-time European Tour winner Ian Poulter.

According to Golf Digest, sources said Poulter asked about three things, including accusations that the DP World Tour is just a “feeder tour” for the PGA Tour. 

“I was shocked by how little the LIV guys had to offer,” one anonymous player in attendance told the outlet. “I thought they would arrive all guns blazing.”

But Pelley refuted this claim in his press conference. 

“Some of these players have said we are a feeder tour and even made a suggestion that we are headed towards being the fifth tour in the world,” Pelley said, via the Golf Channel. 

“I’ll ask you: Is this week a tournament that is on a feeder tour? A tournament that has sold-out crowds, television coverage around the world in 150 countries, five of the top 15 players in the world? A tournament with 150 accredited media?”

The LIV golfers who are European Tour members are allowed to play at Wentworth while their suspension for playing in the inaugural event of the breakaway series is under appeal. Their Ryder Cup status is also subject to legal appeals.

Seventeen golfers from the Saudi-backed circuit will compete in this week’s tournament beginning Thursday. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.