LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaymer has announced he has withdrawn from next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth due to 'player friction'. A total of 19 LIV players entered next week's flagship DP World Tour event, but that number is now 18 following Kaymer's withdrawal.
It is no doubt set to be an awkward week at the home of European golf, with LIV golfers making a return to the tour they have recently been at war with. Europe's main man Rory McIlroy will also be at Wentworth, and the Northern Irishman admitted it is going to be 'hard to stomach' playing alongside the rebels in Surrey.
Speaking after his recent FedEx Cup win, he said: "It's going to be hard for me to stomach going to Wentworth and seeing 18 of them there. That just doesn't sit right with me.
"I feel strongly. I believe what I'm saying are the right things, and I think when you believe that what you're saying is the right things, you're happy to stick your neck out on the line." This friction is seemingly all too much for his former Ryder Cup teammate Kaymer.
Confirming his absence, he told Golf Digest: "Of course, there will be friction there, that's why I'm not going. I don't need to go to a place where, feel-wise, you're not that welcome. They don't say it, but [it's there]... I do love the European Tour and I do like Wentworth.
"I think it's a flagship event that people like to participate in. But under those circumstances, I try to stay in the area where the energy is high, where the energy is positive. I don't know why I should fly to England, [and] be on the golf course for four or five days where you are not that welcome, I would say.
"It has nothing to do with the European Tour or the players or anything like that ... but where we are right now [in professional golf], I try to stay away. I will wait until everything settles."
The divide between the DP World Tour and LIV Golf was made even wider ahead of next week's tournament, with Tour boss Keith Pelley laying down a number of rules for the returning players.
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As a result, Pelley confirmed that LIV members will not be allowed to play in Wednesday's pro-am, and will not be selected in any of the featured groups. In a memo, he confirmed: "They will not be given any on course competitive disadvantage – i.e. unfavourable tee times – but they will not be required to play in the pro-am on Wednesday and will not be in TV featured groups.”
Also asking, the defectors not to sport any LIV branding or apparel at Wentworth, the CEO said: "Out of respect for our partners, our broadcasters and your fellow competitors, we would kindly ask you to consider not wearing LIV Golf-branded apparel during your participation at Wentworth.”
