“Vindictive” PGA Tour suspends all LIV Golf players indefinitely

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced the suspension of any players who join LIV Golf.

The PGA Tour has announced that it will suspend all current and future players on the LIV Golf Invitational Series, in a move Greg Norman has called “vindictive”.

In a statement released within minutes of the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series event teeing off at Centurion Club, near London, on Thursday, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said the suspended players had not received releases and, in some cases, had not even applied for them.

That means Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are ineligible for all PGA Tour events, including the Korn Ferry Tour, Canada Tour and Tour of Champions.

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Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Hudson Swafford, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace, Matt Jones, Martin Kaymer, Andy Ogletree, Peter Uihlein and Turk Pettit are also suspended, while any PGA Tour players who tee it up in any future LIV Golf events will be subjected to the same course of action.

Monahan also confirmed that Garcia, Westwood, Johnson, Kaymer, McDowell, Na, Oosthuizen, Pettit, Grace and Schwartzel have resigned from his Tour, but confirmed that they will not be allowed to play in tournaments as non-members through sponsor exemptions or invites. They will also be removed from the FedExCup points list.

“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” said Monahan. “But they can’t demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.”

The DP World Tour is yet to announce any action against its players, though the USGA has said LIV Golf players who have qualified will still be able to play in next week’s US Open.

Monahan said the players had “decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation” and that “the same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our regulations”.

LIV Golf was quick to condemn the PGA Tour’s announcement.

“Today’s announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and it deepens the divide between the Tour and its members,” it said in a statement.

“It’s troubling that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity blocking golfers from playing.  This certainly is not the last word on this topic.

“The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London, and beyond.”

Norman has repeatedly criticised the PGA Tour’s stance in the build up to the LIV Golf Series and referred to their actions as “anti-golf”.

“Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament,” said Norman.

“This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly ‘to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.’

“Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market.

“The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”

Ian Poulter is among those who hasn’t resigned, and says he plans to appeal the suspension.

“I’ve played a lot of tournaments all around the world, this event is no different,” the Englishman said. “It’s a shame they view this as something different.

“I will appeal for sure. It makes no sense. Having two Tour cards and the ability to play golf all over the world, what’s wrong with that? I believe I’ve been given permission in the past to play in events around the world.”

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Meanwhile, Graeme McDowell, who had said he wouldn’t quit the PGA Tour, admitted he had given up his membership shortly before the suspension announcement as he wanted to “keep the moral high ground”.

The Northern Irishman also expects legal action to follow.

“I have spoken to some players, obviously we have spoken to the lawyers,” said McDowell, who resigned from the PGA Tour to put himself in a “less litigious situation”.

“We have the LIV legal team which are fantastic. We have our own legal team. Some players have decided that, out of an abundance of caution, they were going to resign and try to stay away from any litigation.

“Some guys believe that they shouldn’t be in the situation where they have to resign. They don’t feel like they are doing anything wrong. OK, we haven’t been issued releases. We feel like we should have been issued releases. We’ve done it for the last 20 years, operated all over the world.

“We’re in the UK. You’ve players like myself and Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, we are in our home markets here. We should be allowed to operate here as professional golfers. But hey, we all know the situation is about something bigger.

“It’s competition and it’s not liked. They are having to play the game the way they feel they have to play it, which is playing hard ball. We feel confident that we are well-protected and we are going to just try and do our best.”

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The full letter sent to PGA Tour Members

I wish to provide you with an update and share information regarding the current and former PGA TOUR players who are participating in the Saudi Golf League’s event in London today.

Thank you for your trust, patience and loyalty. We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA TOUR by willfully violating a regulation.

Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players (listed below) are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA TOUR tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.

This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA TOUR: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Champions, PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.

As you know, players listed below did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights releases – or did not apply for releases at all – and their participation in the Saudi Golf League/LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Regulations.

The same fate holds true for any other players who participate in future Saudi Golf League events in violation of our Regulations.

Also in accordance with PGA TOUR Tournament Regulations, the players who have resigned their memberships will be removed from the FedExCup Points List when the official statistics following the RBC Canadian Open are posted on Sunday evening. To be clear, these players will not be permitted to play in PGA TOUR tournaments as a non-member via a sponsor exemption or any other eligibility category.

For those who haven’t yet resigned, we will ensure they will not negatively impact your tournament eligibility, your position in the Priority Rankings or your eligibility to compete in the FedExCup Playoffs. We will update you as we work through this process.

You probably have more questions. What’s next? Can these players come back? Can they eventually play PGA TOUR Champions? Trust that we’re prepared to deal with those questions, and we’ll approach them in the same way we have this entire process: by being transparent and respecting the PGA TOUR regulations that you helped establish.

These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons. But they can’t demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners.

You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the Tournament Regulations you agreed to when you accomplished the dream of earning a PGA TOUR card and – more importantly – to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world of professional golf.

I am certain our fans and partners – who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money – will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world-class competition you display each and every week, where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner’s circle.

You are the PGA TOUR, and this moment is about what we stand for: the PGA TOUR membership as a whole. It’s about lifting up those who choose to not only benefit from the TOUR, but who also play an integral role in building it. I know you are with us, and vice versa. Our partners are with us, too.

The fact that your former TOUR colleagues can’t say the same should be telling. This week, the RBC Canadian Open is a shining example of what you have created with the PGA TOUR: a star-studded field, a committed sponsor, sold-out hospitality offerings, record crowds and a global broadcast distribution.

These elements are part of the TOUR’s DNA, built by the likes of Jack and Arnie, furthered by Tiger and countless others – whose legacies are inextricably linked, with each other and with the PGA TOUR.

This collective legacy can’t be bought or sold. Please reach out with any questions, and please know that we remain committed to you – our players – as well as our fans and our partners.

Sincerely, Jay Monahan

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rob Jerram is the Digital Editor of todaysgolfer.co.uk

He has been a journalist for more than 20 years, starting his career with Johnston Press where he covered local and regional news and sport in a variety of editorial roles across ten years.

Rob joined Bauer Media in 2010 and worked as the Senior Production Editor of Today’s Golfer and Golf World magazines for ten years before moving into the Digital Editor’s role in July 2020.

He has been playing golf for almost three decades and has been a member at Greetham Valley in Rutland for eight years, playing off a 12 handicap.

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