The DP World Tour has upheld the disqualification of Frank Kennedy from the Final Stage of Qualifying School, ruling that the 21-year-old English golfer's removal from the event for serious misconduct will stand.

Kennedy was disqualified on Monday during the fourth round of the six-round qualifier at Infinitum Golf in Tarragona, Spain, after damaging the 11th green on the Hills Course. The tour said he was removed for “serious misconduct after causing deliberate damage to the course” under Rule 1.2a of the Rules of Golf.

At the time of the disqualification, Kennedy was tied for 28th place at 15 under par after a three-under 69 in the fourth round, well placed to make the 72-hole cut and keep alive his hopes of earning one of the 15 DP World Tour cards on offer for 2027.

Kennedy says the damage was accidental

Kennedy disputed the tour's description of the incident in a statement issued on Monday evening. He said he did not intentionally or deliberately damage the putting surface and that any suggestion otherwise was wholly incorrect.

“On the 11th green I missed a birdie putt and tapped in. In frustration, as I was walking off the green, I swung my putter and it accidentally caught the surface,” he said.

He added that he and his playing partner repaired the damage straight away and were both satisfied it had been properly fixed before they moved on. Kennedy, who parred the par-five 11th, said he had always respected the Rules of Golf and asked the tour for clarification and a review of the decision.

Reports from witnesses cited by Monday Q Info said Kennedy took a divot of about one foot out of the green, around four feet behind the hole.

Review upholds the ruling

On Tuesday, the DP World Tour confirmed that it had reviewed the evidence at Kennedy's request and that the disqualification stands.

“Following a request from Frank Kennedy and his team to review the evidence and the decision to disqualify him from the DP World Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, a review has been completed,” a tour spokesperson said. “The ruling to disqualify him under Rule 1.2a of the Rules of Golf – made by the Qualifying School Rules Committee for serious misconduct for damaging the 11th green during the fourth round – stands.”

The committee reached its decision after again interviewing Kennedy and the players present at the incident, reviewing their earlier statements, and examining photographic evidence and a timeline of events.

Seven players benefit as cut line moves

Kennedy's disqualification had a direct effect on the rest of the field. With his score removed, the cut line for the final two rounds moved from 12 under par to 11 under par, allowing seven extra players to advance.

Those seven were Luis Masaveu, Jerry Ji, Lukas Boandl, Haydn Barron, Jesper Sandborg, Antoine Pouguet and Philipp Katich. The top 60 players and ties after 72 holes progress to the final two rounds of the 108-hole event, with the leading 15 finishers and ties earning DP World Tour cards for next season.

Kennedy, a former winner on the DP World Tour's developmental Challenge Tour, had been one of the form players of the week before the incident. He had shot a seven-under 64 in the third round to move into contention, and his fourth-round 69 had kept him comfortably inside the cut line.

Rule 1.2a states that players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course, including not causing unnecessary damage to it.

The final two rounds of Qualifying School continue in Tarragona, with the cards for the 2027 season decided at the end of the week.