Days after announcing he would be playing at LIV Golf’s inaugural event this week in London, Dustin Johnson indicated that he has completely given up on the PGA Tour.
Johnson, twice big winner and former world number one. 1, is the biggest name the PGA Tour has officially abandoned. Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace have also resigned from their members, joining Kevin Na, who did so last weekend. Phil Mickelson, who announced on Monday that he will be playing on the LIV tour, has indicated that he intends to maintain his PGA Tour membership.
“I gave up my Tour membership and for now I will play here. That’s the plan, ”Johnson said at a news conference Tuesday morning.“ What the consequences will be, I can’t comment on how the Tour will handle it. I can’t answer for the majors, but we hope they allow us to play. “
Johnson is exempt from the top four, but the USGA and R&A, the entities that control the upcoming US Open and Open Championship, have not indicated whether they will prevent LIV Golf players from competing.
Johnson’s decision is a way to avoid the possibility of punishment or litigation that might await PGA Tour members who defy the Tour’s order not to play at LIV events. The question of whether PGA Tour members are employees or independent contractors is murky, probably ending up in a courtroom. Johnson effectively withdrew from any legal battle over his status.
However, the resignation not only takes Johnson away from the Tour’s weekly tournament schedule; Johnson is no longer eligible to play in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup tournaments. Last fall, Johnson won 5-0-0 to help the United States completely dismantle Europe.
“If anyone wants to play in a Ryder Cup for the U.S. (PGA) Tour Member “.
The story goes on
“The Ryder Cup is amazing and it has definitely meant a lot to me,” Johnson said. “I’m proud to say that I’ve played and represented in my country and I hope he has a chance to do it again, but I don’t make the rules.”
The inaugural LIV event, held at the Centurion Golf Club outside London, begins on Thursday with a $ 25 million bag, including $ 4 million for the winner. The Saudi-backed company plans eight events this year and will increase in the coming years with a $ 2 billion pledge from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – JUNE 07: Dustin Johnson of the United States attends the pre-press conference at the LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 7, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde / LIV Golf / Getty Images)
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Jay Busbee is a Yahoo Sports writer. Follow him on Twitter at @jaybusbee or contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com.