The PGA Tour has suspended all players participating in the inaugural LIV golf tournament, including the four players who were scheduled to play at the event. All players who resigned their membership before the start of the tournament will not be allowed to participate in any future PGA Tour events or the Presidents Cup, according to a statement released Thursday.
Jay Monahan wrote in a memo sent to tour players:
These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons. But they can’t demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as you. That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners. You have made a different choice, which is to abide by the Tournament Regulations you agreed to when you accomplished the dream of earning a PGA TOUR card and — more importantly — to compete as part of the preeminent organization in the world of professional golf.
According to the PGA Tour, they have suspended 17 current and former members who are participating in the inaugural LIV Golf event.
- Sergio Garcia*
- Talor Gooch
- Branden Grace*
- Dustin Johnson*
- Matt Jones
- Martin Kaymer*
- Graeme McDowell*
- Phil Mickelson
- Kevin Na*
- Andy Ogletree
- Louis Oosthuizen*
- Turk Pettit*
- Ian Poulter
- Charl Schwartzel*
- Hudson Swafford
- Peter Uihlein
- Lee Westwood*
* Informed the PGA Tour that they had resigned their membership
Mickelsen has been a major recruitor for LIV Golf, a company backed by Saudi Arabia’ s Public Investment Fund. Mickelsen hasn’t played golf since February. His deal is reportedly worth about $150 million. Johnson’ s deal is worth about $100 million.
Mickelsen is second on the all-time money list with $96 million. He also holds the record for most wins at the Masters Tournament with four. He has won five other majors, including the U.S. Open in 1986, and he has finished runner-up twice. Mickelsen is currently ranked No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In February, Mickelson said he believed it was “scary” to be aligned with the Saudis, but added that there were other reasons why he had chosen to partner with them. He also said he didn’t think the company should be held responsible for the actions of the Saudi government.
The 54-hole LIV Golf series features, shotgun starts, no cuts and a team format. There are seven ‘regular season’ events scheduled for Bedminster, New Jersey; Boston; and Chicago to name a few. The purses coming in at $25 million with the winner taking $4 million, and the last-place finisher gets $120,000. End of the season scheduled for Oct. 27-30 at Trump National Doral in Miami, has a $50 million purse. It is not secret; the money here is next-level.
