“As you know, the players listed below have not received the necessary conflicting announcements about events and media rights – or have not applied for release at all – and their participation in the Saudi Golf League / LIV Golf event is in violation of our Tournament Rules “Monahan said in a note.
“The same fate applies to all other players who participate in future events of the Saudi Golf League in violation of our Rules.
Players who have resigned will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list when the results of the RBC Canadian Open are released on Sunday.
The 17 golfers listed, including previous big winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia, will not be eligible to play in the PGA Tour as non-members by releasing a sponsor or other eligibility category, the note said.
Mickelson, who previously had a lifetime right to participate in the PGA Tour, said Wednesday that he has no plans to leave the Tour because he won the right to participate because he has “a lifetime membership that he has earned and worked hard. “
What next?
As for what is happening now for the PGA Tour, Monahan added in a statement: “You probably have more questions. What next? Can these players return? Can they end up playing PGA TOUR Champions? Believe that we are ready to deal with these issues and we will approach them in the same way we have this whole process: by being transparent and complying with the provisions of the PGA TOUR that you have helped to establish.
“These players made their choice for their own financial reasons. But they may not require the same benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform for PGA TOUR membership as you. This expectation does not respect you, our fans and our partners. You have made a different choice, which is to follow the Rules of the tournament you agreed to when you fulfilled your dream of winning a PGA TOUR card and – more importantly – to compete as part of the world’s leading professional golf organization. “
What is the LIV Golf series?
The LIV Golf Series is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s heir to the throne and the man identified by US intelligence as responsible for approving the assassination operation. journalist Jamal Hashoghi in 2018. Bin Salman denied involvement in Hashoghi’s assassination.
The tour consists of eight events around the world, starting in London on Thursday.
Led by former world number one Greg Norman, the team-based series runs from June to October with the goal of “holistically improving the health of professional golf globally to help unlock unused sports” (sic). 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 to be split between the players and the remaining $ 5 million to be split between the top three teams at the end of each week.
Before the first event in London, the 12 teams were announced, as well as their captain. On Tuesday, the captains chose their other teams in a draft format similar to the NFL and NBA drafts.
Unlike typical golf events, the London event lasts for three days, not four, with the 48-person course starting with a rifle start – all at the same time – hoping to be more engaging, action-packed event.
Competing in the traditional strike format, the winner will be the lowest score.
What was LIV Golf’s response?
LIV Golf responded to PGA Tour’s decision to suspend players on Thursday, saying: “Today’s announcement of PGA Tour is vindictive and deepens the division between Tour and its members. Worryingly, Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers to play the game, is the entity that blocks golfers from playing.
“This is certainly not the last word on this topic. The era of the free agency is beginning, as we are proud to have a full field of players joining us in London and beyond. ”
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