Despite his ban on the DP World Tour, golf pro Martin Kaymer still hopes to take part in the tournament in Eichenried near Munich.
In order to keep the chance of being invited to the BMW International Open at the end of June, the 38-year-old from Mettmann, like other professionals in the controversial LIV series, would have to give up his membership on the DP World Tour.
“If I were to submit my resignation now, I am officially no longer a member and accordingly I could be invited to the tournament. But that depends on the promoter and the sponsor,” Kaymer told the DPA. He is currently weighing this decision, said the two-time major champion.
Most recently, former European Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter announced their retirement from the DP World Tour. Like Kaymer, they had joined the controversial Saudi Arabia-funded LIV tour last year. As a result, the DP World Tour slapped the players with heavy fines and suspensions.
Kaymer is also currently not allowed to play on the former European Tour. That’s why he probably won’t be at the start of the Porsche European Open just outside Hamburg (June 1-4) in Winsen, which was actually his plan. In contrast to the tournament in Munich, he has little hope of a possible invitation to the event in Hamburg if he gives up his tour membership.
German tournaments are close to Kaymer’s heart
“The German tournaments have always been very important to me and I just think it’s very sad that I’m now being excluded,” said Kaymer, who canceled last year’s tournament in Winsen due to a hand injury.
At the same time, the Rhinelander defended himself against criticism because he started in London two weeks after Hamburg in 2022. “I think because of the surgery, it was relatively clear that it was really something serious,” said the former world number one. At the time, he had it written into the LIV contract that he was allowed to play in parallel events on the LIV tour in German tournaments, “because they were and are the most important tournaments for me”.
The LIV tournaments are criticized because of the million-euro investment from Saudi Arabia. The background is that the country, which has been criticized for human rights violations, is trying to improve its image with lucrative sporting events. Most recently, Kaymer canceled his start at the PGA Championship next week at Oak Hill Country Club because of a wrist injury.