PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan SUSPENDS LIV Golf rebels
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has confirmed the LIV Golf Invitational Series rebels are currently suspended.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan has suspended the rebels taking part in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series at Centurion Club.
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No sooner had Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson played their first tee shots did Monahan send an email to the entire membership.
"I wish to provide you with an update and share information regarding the current and former PGA Tour players who are participating this week in London," wrote Monahan.
"We have followed tournament regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by wilfully violating regulation."
Monahan has confirmed that the 17 players "in breach" of those regulations include:
- Sergio Garcia
- Talor Gooch
- Branden Grace
- Dustin Johnson
- Matt Jones
- Martin Kaymer
- Graeme McDowell
- Phil Mickelson
- Kevin Na
- Andy Ogletree
- Louis Oosthuizen
- Turk Petitt
- Ian Poulter
- Charles Schwartzel
- Hudson Swafford
- Peter Uihlein
- Lee Westwood
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Tour suspends the LIV guys—and, crucially, makes clear that they won’t be able to play PGA Tour events on sponsor’s invites. That’s a significant distinction. pic.twitter.com/vN1HaW2kV7
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 9, 2022
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The players who have resigned from the PGA Tour have been removed from the FedEx Cup points list, Monahan states.
He added in the statement: "You probably have more questions. What's next? Can these players come back? Can they eventually play PGA Tour Champions?
"Trust me, that we are prepared to deal with those questions and will approach them in the same we have during this entire process, by being transparent and respecting the PGA Tour regulations that you helped establish.
"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 expecation 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."
He added: "I am certain our fans and partners who are surely tired of all this talk of money, money and more money will continue to be entertained and compelled by the world class competition you display each week and every week where there are true consequences for every shot you take and your rightful place in history whenever you reach that elusive winner's circle."
This was the immediate response by LIV Golf:
Official statement from LIV Golf pic.twitter.com/UBt4DpRdS4
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) June 9, 2022