As soon as there were balls in the air at the opening event of the LIV Golf Series, the PGA Tour announced indefinite bans for members of its members, including Phil Mickelson, to participate in the Centurion Club.
In a letter to PGA Tour members, Commissioner Jay Monahan listed 17 golfers who are not eligible to compete in upcoming competitions. Among them are Sergio Garcia, 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 life member Mickelson, have failed.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial reasons,” Monahan said. “But they can’t demand the same benefits, considerations, opportunities and membership platform for the PGA Tour as you do. This expectation does not apply to you, our fans and our partners.
“You have made a different choice, which is to meet the rules of the tournament that you accepted when you fulfilled the dream of getting a PGA Tour card and, most importantly, to compete as part of the preeminent organization of the professional world. golf. ”
The letter does not mention Bryson DeChambeau or Patrick Reed, who has been proposed to join the LIV scene. Suspicion remains that Mickelson has already served a suspension after PGA Tour-related comments were released in February. In statements before the LIV tournament, the six-time grand winner said he did not feel compelled to give up the PGA Tour.
Those who are suspended or have resigned will not be able to play on the PGA Tour, their co-sanctioned tours, or even invitations from sponsors. Monahan added: “You probably have more questions. What’s next? Can these players return? Can they finally play in the PGA Tour Champions? and respecting the PGA Tour regulations you helped establish.
Artwork in the fan village. Photo: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian
“I am confident that 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 show every week, where there are real consequences. every time you make it and your place in the story every time you reach the winning circle dodging “.
In an immediate response, a statement from LIV Golf said: “Today’s announcement of the PGA Tour is vindictive and deepens the divide between the Tour and its members. It is worrying that the Tour, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for golfers play, be the entity that blocks golfers.This is certainly not the last word on this subject.The era of free agency is beginning as we are proud to have a full course of players who join us in London and beyond. “