LIV Golf rebel Thomas Pieters has revealed that he has been axed by agent Mark Steinberg - who also represents Tiger Woods.
Former Ryder Cup star Pieters was a surprise addition to the LIV roster for their expanded 14-event calendar this year. The opening event is taking place at the El Camaleón Golf Course in Mayakoba in Mexico this weekend.
Pieterse sits at two-over par and 11 shots behind leaders Peter Uihlein and Talor Gooch on -9 after struggling during the opening two rounds. Sports Illustrated have reported that it was on his arrival in Mexico that Pieterse discovered had had been dropped by agent Steinberg.
“Weirdest thing ever,” Pieters told golf reporter Alan Shipnuck. “He’s just gone.” The Belgian golf star was then asked if Steinberg had taken a percentage of his huge signing LIV Golf signing bonus before ditching the golfer. “No," Pieters joked. "If he did, I would have tweeted that myself."
Steinberg is a partner of the Excel Sports Management and has sided with the PGA Tour in the heated battle between the two golf series. The agent has represented Woods since 1998 while other clients include Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa.
His PGA Tour clients have signed up to play in Woods and Rory McIlroy's new TGL venture with the part-virtual golf league taking place in conjunction with the PGA Tour.
Woods has been a vocal opponent of the LIV Golf series and rebels who have joined the Saudi-backed series. Despite being suspended from PGA Tour events Pieters and his LIV Golf counterparts can compete in the Masters at Augusta in two months time.
Pieters was a late signing ahead of the new LIV Golf series commencing jeopardising his chances of being selected for the Ryder Cup later this year.
The six-time DP World Tour event winner secured a rookie-record four points on his Ryder Cup debut in 2016. He looked destined to be part of Luke Donald's European side later this year.
However, Donald looks unlikely to selected LIV Golf rebels for the prestigious tournament in his six wildcard picks. The Belgian's chances of making the European team via the qualification spots would also be extremely limited.
Pieters could also find himself suspended from DP World Tour events pending the results of a arbitration at Sport Resolutions hearing which was held earlier this month.
