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In a shocking development, seventeen golfers including the likes of Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood who are currently participating in the LIV Golf Series have been suspended for an unspecified period, the PGA Tour confirmed the news on Thursday. The Tour further notified that those who will choose to participate in the future editions of the LIV Golf Series will also be suspended.
Notably, the announcement was made public roughly 30 minutes after the LIV teed off in London for its first 54-hole, team-oriented tournament. The DP World Tour is yet to make its stand public.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan reportedly sent a letter to members that confirmed that those who join the lucrative breakaway series will not be permitted to play on the US-based circuit as a non-member via a sponsor exemption or any other eligibility category.
Monahan reportedly said that players in question had willfully decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour and intentionally violated the regulations. "These players have made their choice for their financial-based reasons. But, I would like to warn them that they can't expect similar demands from the PGA Tour membership. They will not be eligible for any sort of benefits, considerations, opportunities and platform," said Monahan.
However, PGA Tour's decision drew sharp criticism from the LIV Gold as the organisers were quick to release their statement. "Today's announcement by the PGA Tour is vindictive and it deepens the divide between the Tour and its members," LIV Golf said in a statement.
The LIV Golf tour was formed in 2020 and was backed by the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. The tour became controversial because the Saudi government has been allegedly accused of human rights violations, including potential ties to the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi.