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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Fraser Watson

Ex-LIV Golf star pledges to support DP World Tour after exiting controversial rival

Pablo Larrazabal has outlined his dream of succeeding on the DP World [European] Tour - just three months after signing for LIV Golf.

The Spaniard was one of 48 players involved in the Saudi-backed tour's inaugural event in St Albans in June, and ended up tied 13th at The Centurion Club, earning himself £300,000. He lined his pockets further by finishing fifth at the BMW International Open, although it was worth a meagre £70,000 by comparison.

However, since their opening bonanza LIV have recruited strongly, with the likes of Brooks Koepka, Bryson Dechambeau, and most notably Open champion Cameron Smith coming on board. As a result, 19 of the original defectors, including Larrazabal, have been deemed surplus to requirements.

The 39-year-old was banned from the Scottish Open after being sanctioned by the PGA Tour, before a missed cut at The Open in St Andrews. But he returned to the DP World Tour this week seemingly refocused on impressing within the status quo.

Ahead of this week's Made In Himmerland event in Denmark, the seven-time tour winner outlined his ambitions on social media, with an Instagram post reading: "Can’t wait to tee it up at the @madeinhimmerland.

"It’s been 6 weeks since my last tournament but the game feeling good. For those that are speaking without knowing, I AM A DP WORLD TOUR member and my dream has always been to succeed here in Europe. See you all at some point at my office, the DP World Tour."

Pablo Larrazabal has returned to the status quo after one tournament with LIV Golf (Getty Images)

The dream didn't last long this time around, despite him recovering from three early bogeys on Thursday to record a level par 71. He followed that up with a 68 on Friday, but it wasn't enough to make the cut.

That of course, could be considered ironic, given LIV Golf chiefs have been lauding the fact their own events are played over just 54-holes with no cuts involved. The fourth rebel event in Boston is currently ongoing, with Talor Gooch leading after two rounds.

Larrazabal's tournament at least lasted two rounds though. Canadian golfer Aaron Cockerill provided one of the highlights on day one when he notched a hole-in-one, only to be later disqualified for forgetting to sign his card.

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