In a letter to PGA Tour members, Commissioner Jay Monahan listed 17 golfers who are not eligible to compete in upcoming competitions. They include Sergio García, Dustin Johnson, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood, who have resigned as members of the PGA Tour. Others, including lifelong member Mickelson, have not. “These players have made their choice for their own financial reasons,” Monahan said. “But they can not claim the same PGA Tour membership privileges, ratings, opportunities and platform as you. This expectation does not respect you, our fans and our partners. “You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the tournament rules you agreed to when you realized your dream of winning a PGA Tour card and – most importantly – to play as part of the leading organization in the world of professional golf. “ The letter does not mention Bryson DeChambeau or Patrick Reed, who are considered to be on the LIV stage. The suspicion remains that Mickelson has already imposed a suspension following the publication of comments about the PGA Tour in February. Speaking ahead of the LIV tournament, the six-time big winner said he did not feel compelled to give up the PGA Tour. Those who have been suspended or resigned will not be able to play on the PGA Tour – or its co-approved tours – even on sponsor invitations. Monahan added: “You probably have more questions. What happens next? Can these players return? Can they finally play PGA Tour Champions? Trust that we are prepared to deal with these questions and approach them in the same way we have this whole process: with the transparency and respect for the PGA Tour regulations that you have helped establish. Works of art in the village of fans. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian “I’m sure that our fans and partners – who are certainly tired of all this talk about money, money and more money – will continue to have fun and be compelled by the global competition you run every week, where there are real consequences for every a shot you make and the place you deserve in history every time you reach the elusive circle of the winner “. In an immediate response, a LIV Golf statement said: “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 creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity that prevents golfers from playing. This is definitely not the last word on this subject. The era of free representation begins as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London and beyond. “
