PGA Tour suspends 17 golfers from LIV Golf tournament, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson

Less than an hour after LIV Golf officially concluded its first Invitational Series event on Thursday, the PGA Tour responded by issuing a suspension to players who had previously competed in its tournament. me. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has officially announced that players participating in this or any future LIV Golf events will no longer be allowed to compete on the PGA Tour.

Monahan was unclear, perhaps purportedly, about the length of the pause in a statement released by the PGA Tour:

We followed the tournament rules from start to finish in response to players who decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by knowingly breaking a rule.

At the same time you receive this notification, the players will be notified that they have been suspended or no longer eligible to compete on the PGA Tour, including the President Cup. This applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour… As you know, the players listed below did not receive the necessary conflict events and transmission copyrights. informed – or unsubscribed at all – and their participation in the Saudi Arabia Golf Tournament League / LIV Golf Events violates our tournament regulations. A similar fate befalls any other player participating in future Saudi Arabia Golf Federation events in violation of our regulations.

Of the 17 golfers named in the letter, 10 had previously resigned from their membership. Seven others, including Phil Mickelson, are active members as of Thursday morning. Regardless of membership, players who choose to play for LIV Golf will be effectively treated by the PGA Tour.

“Resigned players will be removed from the FedEx Cup scoring list and will not be allowed to compete in PGA Tour events as non-members or through sponsor waivers,” according to the statement. Tour.

In concluding her letter, Monahan turned around what makes the PGA Tour so special and encouraged players to emphasize both the history and quality of the PGA Tour.

“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,” he said.

LIV Golf was quick to respond with a statement of its own.

“Today’s announcement by the PGA Tour is vindication and it furthers the divide between the Tour and its members,” said LIV Golf. in a statement provided as a response to the suspension. “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. This is certainly not the last word on the subject. Era. of free agency is starting as we’re proud to have full players joining us in London and beyond.”