Kevin Na has resigned from the PGA Tour in order to exercise his right to play golf wherever he wants and described the LIV Golf Invitational Series as an “exciting new product.”
Na, 38, is one of the biggest names from the tour who has chosen to play in the new series commissioned by Greg Norman and described it as an “exciting new product.”
In an official statement he posted on social media on Saturday, Na expressed his desire to play golf wherever he wants and in order to avoid punishment from the PGA Tour, he has resigned.
Na will join the likes of Dustin Johnson, Louis Oosthuizen, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter to play the first LIV Golf event at Centurion Club near London on June 9.
“To remain a PGA Tour player, I must give up my right to make these choices about my career. If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour,” Na wrote.
“I am sad to share that I have chosen to resign from the PGA Tour. This has not been an easy decision and not one I take lightly. I hope the current policies change and I’ll be able to play on the PGA Tour again.
“I am thrilled to begin the next chapter in my career, starting next week at the inaugural LIV Invitational series event in London. I hope you’ll continue to support me.”
Na joined the tour in 2004 and in 2011, he won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. His most recent win came at the Sony Open in 2021.
The event next week at Centurion is the first of eight events that will feature as part of the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
This was a very difficult decision for me. I hope my fans will continue to support me wherever I choose to play. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/3Vp2e7cPfH
— Kevin Na (@kevinna915) June 4, 2022
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
Na is a smart guy. He is resigning before he gets suspended so when/if the LIV is no longer, he will be able to re apply or go to Q school to get back on the tour. He will have broken no rules to have been suspended. Yet those that are blinded by the control of the PGA like McIlroy and Cantlay, can’t understand it or figure it out..? And to think, there are dozens that are critical of those who don’t want to be controlled by the PGA..That’s what I can’t figure out..
Yeah, I’m sure Rory’s under the control of the PGA. People will choose to play where they want to. Rory chose not to leave maybe because he values tradition and history.
That wasn’t the point. He couldn’t figure out why he’d do it..And I gave a reason that he might. And please don’t tell me history and tradition is how you make your financial decisions..And yes, to your one point.. Rory is under the control of the PGA.