“The same fate applies to any other player who participates in future Saudi Golf League matches in violation of our Rules.” Players who have unsubscribed will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list when the RBC Canadian Open scores are announced on Sunday. The 17 golfers on the list, including former top winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, will not be allowed to play in PGA Tour tournaments as non-members through sponsor exclusion or any other fitness category, the note reiterated. Mickelson, who previously had a lifelong fitness for the PGA Tour, said Wednesday he had no plans to leave the Tour as he had won the right to participate as he has “a lifetime subscription for which he earned and worked hard. “
What happens next?
As for what is happening now for the PGA Tour, Monahan added in the statement: “You probably have more questions. What follows? Can these players return? Can they finally play PGA TOUR Champions? Trust us we are ready to deal with these questions. , and we will approach them in the same way we have this whole process: by being transparent and respecting the PGA TOUR regulations that you have helped to establish. “These players have made their choice for their own financial reasons. But they can not claim the same PGA TOUR membership privileges, ratings, opportunities and platform as you do. This expectation does not respect you, our fans and our partners. “a different choice, which is to comply with the Tournament Rules you agreed upon when you realized your dream of winning a PGA TOUR card and – most importantly – competing as part of the leading organization in the world of professional golf.”
What is the LIV Golf series?
The LIV Golf Series is sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) – a state-owned investment fund headed by Mohammed bin Salman, the successor to Saudi Arabia and the man named in a US intelligence report. of the operation that led to the assassination of journalist Jamal Kasogi in 2018. Bin Salman has denied involvement in Kasogi’s assassination. The tour consists of eight events around the world, starting in London on Thursday. In front of former No. 1 Greg Norman in the world, the team series runs from June to October with the goal, he says, of “holistically improving the health of professional golf on a global scale to help unlock the sport” (sic) untapped potential. “ Saudi Arabia’s PIF has pledged $ 250 million in total prize money. Each of the first seven events will have a total prize pool of $ 25 million, with $ 20 million being split between individual players and the remaining $ 5 million being split between the top three teams at the end of each week. In view of the first event in London, the 12 teams were announced, as well as their leader. On Tuesday, the leaders selected the rest of their teams in a draft format similar to the NFL and NBA drafts. In contrast to standard golf, the London event lasts three days instead of four, with the 48-person court starting with a shotgun – all at the same time – in the hope of being a more exciting, action-packed style event. . If you compete in a traditional form of play, the lowest score will be the winner.
What was LIV Golf’s response?
LIV Golf responded to the PGA Tour’s decision to suspend players on Thursday, saying: “Today’s announcement of the PGA Tour is vindictive and widens the gap between the Tour and its members. It is worrying that the Tour, an organization dedicated to in creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, it is the entity that prevents golfers from playing. “This is definitely not the last word on this issue. The era of free agency is starting as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London and beyond.”
