PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan made good on his word and suspended all players who decided to participate in the inaugural LIV Golf event. The decision was confirmed via a memo issued to members of the tour.
As it currently stands, 17 members of the PGA Tour opted to play at the LIV Golf Invitational Series that started at London’s Centurion Club on Thursday. They are now banned from taking participation in any of the events organized by the tour, including the Presidents Cup.
Monahan reiterated that the same sanctions would be applied to PGA Tour players who decide to play at LIV Golf in the future.
“These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons,” Monahan said in a memo. “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.”
LIV Golf, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has been in the works since 2019. Its first season is set to have eight tournaments, with seven of them having a purse of $25 million. The winner of each tournament will receive $4 million, which is most than the PGA Tour’s record prize of $3.6 million.
The financial benefits of playing at LIV Golf attracted some big names, including six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and two-time major champion Dustin Johnson. The 2020’s U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, who won the Masters in 2018, are reportedly also set to join.
