European Tour Suspends and Fines 13 Golfers for Defying Ban on Competing in Saudi-Backed Events

The tour's disciplinary panel ruled that the players committed serious breaches of tour behavior rules by playing in LIV Golf tournaments last month after being denied permission to do so.
The decision is a victory for the European Tour as it tries to stave off competition from the lucrative Saudi tour.
The 13 players, including Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding, had their suspensions of multiple events and fines upheld pending an appeal.
The panel said the tour's chief executive "acted entirely reasonably" in refusing to release players to compete in the Saudi events and that the rules were proportionate and necessary for operating the tour.