In a memo sent to members of the PGA Tour on Thursday, commissioner Jay Monahan was true to his word toward players who opt to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
You are no longer welcome on the PGA Tour.
“We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation,” Monahan wrote in the memo obtained by Golfweek. “Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
“This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.”
The memo was sent shortly after the first tee shots were hit in London in the first LIV Golf Invitational Series events.
Among those suspended were Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Matt Jones. Also suspended were players who have resigned their membership, including Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.
The first of eight events of the LIV Golf Invitational Series this year began Thursday at the Centurion Club outside of London. In addition to staggering signing bonus – Phil Mickelson reportedly received $200 million to sign – LIV Golf presents a team format consisting of 54-hole, no-cut, 48-man fields featuring more than $255 million in prize money.
The winner this week in London will receive $4 million.
The league is spearheaded by Greg Norman and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds.
LIV Golf released a statement shortly after the PGA Tour’s:
The players who have been disciplined did not receive the necessary conflicting event and media rights releases. As for any players joining up in the future, they, too, will be suspended. That would included Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, who reportedly have signed on with LIV Golf and will be playing in the second tournament next month in Portland.
The memo stated the players who resigned their PGA Tour membership will be removed from the FedEx Cup points list.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan wrote. “But they can’t demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform as (full members). 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.”
These are the players listed in the memo who have been suspended or are “otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup”:
Sergio Garcia
Talor Gooch
Branden Grace
Dustin Johnson
Matt Jones
Martin Kaymer
Graeme McDowell
Phil Mickelson
Kevin Na
Andy Olgetree
Louis Oosthuizen
Turk Pettit
Ian Poulter
Charl Schwartzel
Hudson Swafford
Peter Uihlein
Lee Westwood
YOU CAN READ THE FULL STATEMENT FROM THE PGA TOUR BELOW:
Article originally appeared on: Golfweek.usatoday.com
WOW, That is quite the hammer they dropped. The players can play in Majors and by sponsorship exemptions, but NOT play in anything else..That will really put a dent in their income now that they play for 25 million in purses for 8 tournaments. And how why would these players even consider playing to meet the financial goals they have.. I mean, they NEED to be loyal to their employer that offers them the chance to make less money, be more secure for their families and do it for less time consideration.. How dare they.. And now that others will be joining soon, it will be funny to watch the PGA backtrack, especially when they are sued for anti trust laws..
I for one in my own opinion is that those that turn tail and wanted big money are just greedy SOB, Lefty needed it to support or pay gambling debts the oters just were plain greedy sorry for all you loyal fans of lefty and DJ just go and watch them on were ever you can find a channel that is televising the tournament
Really; am disappointed in some who chose to play in LIV Tournaments. Some will not be missed. Guess it shows how those “Legends in Their Own Minds” think of themselves. Starts at the Top though!!
I wonder where “loyalty” stands these days. Is it simply “take the money” or is it “stand by the organization that got me here?” I understand the need to take care of family, but how much money is enough?
The majority of the golfers signed by LIV would probably never win a PGA tournament or a major. The money they’re receiving with cover many tournament wins. Let’s see what happens if there’s no TV coverage or major sponsors. I watched a few holes this morning and pretty boring.
So it sounds like if you were offered 5 times your salary for working a fraction of the time with the potential to make millions in bonuses, you would just say no, due to blind loyalty to your boss or company?? And as far as the broadcasts go, I guess there are those that are just happy with the status quo of Jim Nance and his faux care f every player he’s ever watched.. Lastly, if you don’t think DJ,Gooch Na et al can win a major, why would you want them cluttering up the field with the likes of Ryan Palmer and Sebastian Munoz or the other 135 players that can’t win a major?? Your’e funny!!
My Mistake.. I just flipped on the canadian open to watch Doug Ghim battle it out with ..oh, what’s his name..something Hughes I think.. it was mesmerizing .. And the witty anecdotes by the announcers?? Unbelievable.. I think they shipped them in from the Korn Ferry tournament to add something special..yeah, Phil,DJ and Reed could never top that!!