The PGA Tour has suspended 17 members from competing in the inaugural LIV Golf International Series event, it announced Thursday.
Players who gave up their membership prior to the start of the LIV Golf event to be held outside London starting on Thursday are also no longer eligible to compete in travel events or the Grand Cup. system.
“These players made the choice for their own financial reasons,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo to members of the tour. “But they can’t claim the same benefits, considerations, opportunities, and PGA TOUR membership platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans, and our partners. You’ve got a choice. The other choice is to follow the Tournament Rules you agreed to when you fulfilled your dream of earning a PGA TOUR card and – more importantly – to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world. professional golf.”
The memo says players who compete in LIV events are not eligible for the PGA Tour or any other tour it sanctions, including the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica.
Monahan wrote that any player participating in future LIV Golf events will face the same penalty.
“I’m sure our fans and partners – who are certainly tired of all the talk about money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and intrigued by the competition. the world class you show off every week, where there are real consequences to every shot you make and your rightful place in history whenever you reach the elusive winner’s circle there,” wrote Monahan.
“You are the PGA TOUR, and this moment is about what we stand for: PGA TOUR membership in general. It’s uplifting those who choose to not only benefit from the TOUR, but play an integral role. in building it I know you’re with us and vice versa Our partners are with us The fact that your former TOUR colleagues couldn’t say the same should be told. again. “
LIV Golf, in a statement, called the PGA Tour’s punishment “hateful” and said it “deepens divisions between the Tour and its members.”
“It is disturbing that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity that prevents golfers from playing,” said LIV Golf. “This is certainly not the last word on the subject. The freestyle era is beginning as we are proud to have a full range of players joining us in London and beyond.”
The PGA Tour announced the disciplinary action less than 30 minutes after 17 members or former members who resigned on tour this past week hit the opening tee shots during the inaugural LIV Golf event at the Centurion Club, suburbs of London.
Among them is the six-time major champion Phil Mickelsontwo-time grand champion Dustin Johnson and longtime Ryder Cup participants Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.
Two other big winners in the past, US Open 2020 champions Bryson DeChambeau and 2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed, has also reached an agreement with LIV Golf to compete in future tournaments, sources told ESPN Wednesday. LIV Golf officials have also had ongoing discussions with other players, including Rickie Fowler and Jason Kokrak.
Johnson and Garcia were among the players who dropped out of the tournament, along with the 2010 Open champion Louis OosthuizenMasters Champion 2011 Charl Schwartzel and Kevin Na. The players hope to avoid penalties from the tour by giving up.
Monahan said the 10 players who gave up their PGA Tour memberships will be dropped from the FedEx Cup scoring rankings after this week’s RBC Canada Open. He wrote that “these players will not be allowed to play in PGA Tournaments as non-members through a sponsor waiver or another qualifying category.”
Monahan wrote: “This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a prime example of what you’ve created with the PGA Tour: a star-studded arena, a committed sponsor, established hospitality services. sold out, record crowds and a global broadcast”. “These elements are part of the Tour’s DNA, built by Jack and Arnie, carried on by Tiger and countless others – whose heritage is so closely linked with each other and with the PGA Tour. Collective heritage. This cannot be purchased or sold.”
LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, a former world No. 1 golfer and two-time The Open champion, previously told ESPN that the new round was prepared to help their players battle the title. position of the PGA Tour in court. Norman says he has players willing to engage in a legal battle.
“I can only speak about the information provided to me by our legal team and I have an extremely talented legal team in antitrust and anticompetitive law, and we believe that I am in the right place. “We believe that the players are independent contractors and have the right to go anywhere they want.”
On May 10, the PGA Tour denied conflicting event releases to players who requested them. Monahan has told players several times that they will face penalties if they compete in LIV events without a release.
The first LIV Golf Tournament in the United States is scheduled for June 30-July 2 at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland, Oregon.
The LIV Golf series features 54-hole events, starting with pistols, no-cuts, and a team format. The season’s seven regular events, also scheduled in Bedminster, New Jersey, Boston and Chicago, are offering $25 million, the richest sum in golf history. The winner gets $4 million and the last person to finish gets $120,000. The season-ending Team Championship at Trump National Doral in Miami, October 27-30, has a $50 million prize pool.
According to the report, the top players also received signing bonuses from LIV Golf worth more than $100 million.
One longtime PGA Tour player who was not approached about playing in the LIV Golf series told ESPN that he agreed that the tournament must punish players to prevent others from defecting.
“We’ll end up in a worse position because these guys want quick cash to hang out in an exhibit,” the player said. “The [Saudis] will eventually lose interest. I think we all have a bit of a responsibility to leave the game better than when we got here, and representing a shady government with a dubious record isn’t going to do that. “
LIV Golf is supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which is controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman has been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Four times big winner Rory McIlroyspeaking at a news conference at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto on Wednesday, said he’s worried about the future of golf.
McIlroy said: “I think it’s a shame it’s going to break the game. “I think if anything happens, the professional game is a window into golf. If the public is confused about who’s playing where and what tournament this week and, OK, he’s not participating. When it comes to these events, it’s going to get kind of confusing.I think things need to try to be more cohesive and I think it’s been on a pretty good trajectory until this happens. “
